Vehicle-mounted camera

ABSTRACT

A vehicle-mounted camera includes a camera module mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and further includes a mirror occupying at least a part of an imaging range of the camera module. The camera module may be arranged to face a forward vehicle traveling direction. The mirror may occupy a lower part of the vertical direction in the imaging range. The camera module and the mirror may both be disposed in the vehicle.

This application is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/816,060 filedJun. 15, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,526,882, issued Sep. 3, 2013, whichapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted camera that ismounted on a vehicle such as a passenger vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

A vehicle-mounted camera that uses a camera module mounted on a vehicleis being widely used for recording the traveling state of the vehicle orassisting the driving of the vehicle. The vehicle-mounted camera 901shown in FIG. 68 is used as a so-called drive recorder (for instance,refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-6854). Thevehicle-mounted camera 901 films the forward vehicle traveling directionwith a camera module mounted on the front window or the room mirror ofthe vehicle 801. The video picture of the vehicle-mounted camera 901 isrecorded for a predetermined length of time from several seconds toseveral minutes retroactively, for instance, from the time that a motorvehicle accident occurs, or recorded continuously. Meanwhile, thevehicle-mounted camera 902 shown in FIG. 68 is used as a so-calledrear-view monitor (for instance, refer to Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-open No. 2007-62670). The vehicle-mounted camera 902 is mounted inthe vicinity, for example, of the license plate (not shown) of thevehicle 801, and captures the area immediately behind the vehicle 801.The video picture of the vehicle-mounted camera 902 is displayed, forexample, on a monitor that is installed in the instrument panel. Thedriver confirms the existence of obstacles by visually observing thevideo picture of the monitor upon reversing the vehicle 801.

Nevertheless, demands are increasing for the vehicle-mounted camera 901that is used as a drive recorder to film the interior of the vehicle 801in addition to the status of the forward direction of the vehicle 801.For example, a case requiring the filming of the interior of a vehiclewould be when a passenger engages in any wrongful act within a taxi. Inorder to meet the foregoing demands, it was necessary to provide aseparate vehicle-mounted camera for filming the interior of the vehiclein addition to the vehicle-mounted camera 901 for filming the front ofthe vehicle.

Moreover, the vehicle-mounted camera 902 must be installed outside thevehicle in order to capture an area that is difficult for the driver tosee. Thus, the vehicle-mounted camera 902 is constantly exposed to rainand wind. Thus, sufficient waterproofing measures must be taken for thevehicle-mounted camera 902. Moreover, connected to the vehicle-mountedcamera 902 is a cable (not shown) for supplying power and sending thescreen images. This cable needs to be dragged from the outside of thevehicle where the vehicle-mounted camera 902 is installed to the insideof the vehicle where the monitor and battery are disposed. The laying ofthe cable across the outside of the vehicle and the inside of thevehicle is troublesome and not easy.

A compact camera module is widely used as means for filming, forexample, the status of the inside or the outside of a passenger vehicle.FIG. 69 shows an example of a conventional camera module (for instance,refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2006-332288). Thecamera module 903 shown in FIG. 69 has an imaging element (not shown)built into the case 911, and comprises a lens 912 for forming an imagein the imaging element. Moreover, the case 911 is provided with aplurality of LED modules 913. Each LED module 913 is configured, forexample, by an LED chip (not shown) being built into a translucent head.As shown in FIG. 69, the plurality of LED modules 913 are disposed sothat their respective main emitting directions basically coincide withthe optical axis of the lens 912. According to this kind ofconfiguration, the plurality of LED modules 913 are able to illuminatethe imaging area of the camera module 903 so as to compensate for theinsufficient brightness of the screen image.

Nevertheless, in order to adequately capture the state within thevehicle, a lens 912 with a relatively wide viewing angle; for example, aviewing angle of 120 degrees or more, is used. The illumination anglethat the respective LED modules 913 are able to brightly illuminate isrelatively narrow relative to the foregoing wide viewing angle. Thus,there were cases where the plurality of LED modules 913 would illuminateonly a part of the imaging area of the camera module 903. Under theforegoing circumstances, for example, there were inconveniences in thatthe center portion of the captured screen image would become extremelybright and cause a phenomenon known as a so-called whiteout condition,while the peripheral portion would become dark.

Contrarily, for a camera module that is used for filming afar, a lenswith a relatively narrow viewing angle; for instance, a viewing angle ofapproximately 10 degrees, is used in substitute for the lens 912. Here,there were cases where sufficient light would not reach the imaging areain the distance with standard LED modules, whereby filming at night orin dark places was impossible.

A relatively compact camera module is widely used as means for filmingthe status behind the passenger vehicle. This camera module is ofteninstalled outside of the vehicle, and is required to comprise sufficientwaterproof functions (for instance, refer to Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-open No. 2009-107393). FIG. 70 shows an example of a conventionalcamera module. The camera module 904 shown in FIG. 70 has a lens unit914 and an inner case 919 built into the case 922. The inner case 919 ismounted with an imaging element 921 via a substrate 920. The lens unit914 is structured so that two lenses 917, 918 and a diaphragm 916 areretained with a holder 915. The lens unit 914 and the inner case 919 aremutually connected, for example, with a screw structure not shown so asto cause their mutual positions to be adjustable. The focusing of theimaging element 921 of the lens unit 914 is thereby enabled. The case922 is of a block construction having an upper case 923 and a lower case924. A waterproof O-ring 925 is provided between the upper case 923 andthe lower case 924. The camera module 904 is thereby equipped with acertain level of waterproof function enabling it to be used by beingmounted outside the vehicle.

Nevertheless, upon manufacturing the camera module 904, foremost, it isnecessary to focus the lens unit 914 and the imaging element 921. Thisprocess is performed, for example, by confirming the screen image of thetest pattern that is displayed by the imaging element 921 while screwingthe lens unit 914 into the inner case 919. Subsequently, the focusedlens unit 914 and the inner case 919 are built into the case 922. Inorder to properly exhibit the waterproof function of the camera module904, the insertion of the O-ring 925 must be performed carefully.Accordingly, when manufacturing the camera module 904, it is necessaryto pay attention to the focusing of the lens unit 914 and the imagingelement 921, and the assembly of the case 922 with the insertion of theO-ring 925, and these two troublesome processes are required. Thiscontributed to the deterioration in the production efficiency andaggravated the production yield of the camera module 904.

Moreover, the camera module 904 must be equipped with a cable or thelike in order to supply power to the imaging element 921 and externallysend the image signal received from the imaging element 921. Forexample, the lower case 924 is provided with a cable hole through whichthe cable is inserted. When using the camera module 904 by mounting itoutside the vehicle, waterproofing treatment must be performed betweenthe cable hole and the cable. As this kind of waterproofing treatment,for example, if sealing is performed using resin, it is necessary tomanage the temperature of the resin material and check its applicationstatus, and the process of filling resin was not an easy process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been proposed in view of the foregoingcircumstances. Thus, an object of this invention is to provide avehicle-mounted camera capable of capturing a plurality of imagingobjects and simplifying the waterproofing measures.

Another object of this invention is to provide a camera module capableof capturing the imaging area with a more uniform brightness.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a camera modulecapable of capturing the imaging area by illuminating the imaging areawith a more favorable illuminating light.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a camera modulecapable of efficiently performing the focusing process and thewaterproof treatment process.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a waterproof cablepenetration part and a camera module capable of appropriatelywaterproofing the space between the cable and the case.

The vehicle-mounted camera provided by the present invention comprisesan imaging device mounted on a vehicle, and a reflector occupying atleast a part of an imaging range of the imaging device.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the imaging deviceand the reflector are both disposed in a vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the imaging deviceis facing a forward vehicle traveling direction, and the reflectoroccupies a lower part of a vertical direction in an imaging range of theimaging device.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle-mountedcamera further comprises a light shield adjacent to an upper part of avertical direction of the reflector in an imaging range of the imagingdevice.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a range, outside avehicle, in a reverse vehicle traveling direction is reflected on thereflector.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a passenger seatedin a backseat in a vehicle is reflected on the reflector.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle-mountedcamera further comprises a transparent bracket disposed in a forwardvehicle traveling direction relative to the imaging device to face theimaging device, and the reflector is mounted on the transparent bracket.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transparentbracket includes a facing part that squarely faces the imaging device ina forward vehicle direction, a circuit part that extends from a forwardvehicle direction relative to the imaging device to a reverse vehicledirection via an upper part of a vertical direction, and a posteriorpart that is positioned in a reverse vehicle direction relative to theimaging device and supports the imaging device.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transparentbracket is provided with a light shield adjacent to an upper part of avertical direction of the reflector.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reflectorassumes a position occupying a lower part of a vertical direction in animaging range of the imaging device, and a position withdrawn from theimaging device.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the imaging deviceis disposed in a vehicle, and the reflector is disposed outside avehicle.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the imaging deviceis disposed on an inner side of a vehicle window in a position ofimaging outside a vehicle through the window, and the reflector isdisposed at a position facing the imaging device, with the windowinterposed therebetween.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an underside portionof the vehicle and the road are reflected on the reflector.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the imaging deviceis a portable phone equipped with an imaging function.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the imaging deviceis disposed at a position that is spaced from a rear vehicle window in aforward vehicle traveling direction, and the reflector is mounted on anouter side of the window.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the imaging devicecomprises an imaging element, and an illuminator for illuminating atleast a part of an imaging area that is imaged by the imaging element,and the illuminator is a camera module having a plurality of LED moduleseach including an LED chip, the LED modules having mutually differentmain emitting directions.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle-mountedcamera further comprises a case for housing the imaging element, and thecase is provided with a plurality of retention holes for retaining theplurality of LED modules.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the LEDmodules comprises a translucent head with the LED chip built therein,and a lead that establishes electrical continuity with the LED chip,each of the retention holes includes a head housing part which housesthe translucent head and in which a depth direction thereof coincideswith the main emitting direction of the LED module, and the lead housingpart includes a root part which is connected to the head housing partand which extends in the main emitting direction, and a tip part thatextends in a direction that is different from the direction extendedfrom the root part.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lead housingpart has a cross-section size that is smaller than that of thetranslucent head.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lead housingpart has a cross-section size that is larger than that of thetranslucent head.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle-mountedcamera further comprises a substrate mounted with the plurality of LEDmodules, and each of the tip parts of the plurality of retention holesis orthogonal to the substrate.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle-mountedcamera further comprises a case which houses the imaging element and towhich are formed a plurality of mounting surfaces facing mutuallydifferent directions, and a flexible wiring substrate having flexibilityin which the plurality of LED modules are mounted on a surface thereof,and the flexible wiring substrate is sandwiched between the plurality ofmounting surfaces and the LED module.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle-mountedcamera further comprises a substrate having a plurality of mountingsurfaces facing mutually different directions, and the plurality of LEDmodules are mounted on the plurality of mounting surfaces.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the imaging devicecomprises an imaging element, and an illuminator for illuminating atleast a part of an imaging area that is imaged by the imaging element,and the illuminator is a camera module having an LED module, and anoptical component for bending light from the LED module.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle-mountedcamera further comprises a wide-angle lens for converging light at theimaging element, and the optical component is a wide angle prism forwidening the angle of light from the LED module.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wide angle prismis formed so that light from the LED module is bent more as the prismrecedes from the wide-angle lens in a first direction that is orthogonalto an optical axis direction of the wide-angle lens.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wide angle prismis formed so that light from the LED module is bent more at the edgethan the center in a second direction that is orthogonal to the opticalaxis direction and the first direction.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle-mountedcamera further comprises a narrow-angle lens for converging light at theimaging element, and the optical component includes a convex lens partfor narrowing the angle of light from the LED module.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the convexlens parts is formed to overlap with any one of the plurality of LEDmodules in an optical axis directional vision of the narrow-angle lens.

The other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeclearer based on the ensuing detailed explanation with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram and a cross section showingthe vehicle-mounted camera according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vehicle-mounted cameraaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the vehicle-mounted camera according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an example of a video picture taken by the vehicle-mountedcamera according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modified example of thevehicle-mounted camera according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing another modified example of thevehicle-mounted camera according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing another modified example of thevehicle-mounted camera according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram and a side view showing thevehicle-mounted camera according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is an overall configuration diagram and a side view showing thevehicle-mounted camera according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram and a side view showing thevehicle-mounted camera according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram showing the vehicle-mountedcamera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an overall configuration diagram and a side view showing thevehicle-mounted camera according to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is an overall configuration diagram showing the vehicle-mountedcamera according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the cameramodule according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross section of the essential part along line XV-XV ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a cross section along line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a cross section of the essential part along line XVII-XVII ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a cross section showing the process of inserting LED modulesinto the case in an example of a method of manufacturing the cameramodule shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is a cross section showing the process of inserting LED modulesinto the case in an example of a method of manufacturing the cameramodule shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 20 is a cross section showing a state where the insertion of theLED modules into the case is complete in an example of a method ofmanufacturing the camera module shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 21 is a front view showing the imaging area and the illuminatingarea of the cameral module according to conventional technology;

FIG. 22 is a front view showing the imaging area and the illuminatingarea of the camera module shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 23A shows the light quantity distribution by the lens in the cameramodule shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 23B shows the light quantity distribution by the LED illuminationin the camera module shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 23C shows the light quantity distribution of the screen image inthe camera module shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 24 is a cross section of the essential part showing the secondembodiment of the camera module according to the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a cross section of the essential part showing a state wherethe LED module is mounted on the substrate in an example of a method ofmanufacturing the camera module shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a cross section of the essential part showing the process ofmounting the case in an example of a method of manufacturing the cameramodule shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a cross section of the essential part showing the thirdembodiment of the camera module according to the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a cross section of the essential part showing the process ofmounting the flexible wiring substrate on the case in an example of amethod of manufacturing the camera module shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a cross section of the essential part showing the fourthembodiment of the camera module according to the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing the fifth embodiment of the cameramodule according to the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a cross section of the essential part along line XXXI-XXXI ofFIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a cross section along line XXXII-XXXII of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a cross section showing the sixth embodiment of the cameramodule according to the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a cross section along line XXXIV-XXXIV of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a cross section showing the seventh embodiment of the cameramodule according to the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a cross section showing the assembly of the camera moduleshown in FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a cross section showing the process of inserting the lensunit into the assembly of the camera module shown in FIG. 35;

FIG. 38 is a cross section showing the assembly of a modified example ofthe camera module shown in FIG. 35;

FIG. 39 is a cross section of the essential part showing a modifiedexample of the camera module shown in FIG. 35;

FIG. 40 is a cross section showing the eighth embodiment of the cameramodule according to the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a cross section showing the assembly of the camera moduleshown in FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a plan view showing the lens unit when the camera moduleshown in FIG. 40 is assembled;

FIG. 43 is a cross section showing the process of inserting the lensunit in the assembly of the camera module shown in FIG. 40;

FIG. 44 is a cross section showing the process of inserting the lensunit in the assembly of the camera module shown in FIG. 40;

FIG. 45 is a cross section showing the process of removing the levers inthe assembly of the camera module shown in FIG. 40;

FIG. 46 is a plan view showing the lens unit and the mounting tool whenthe camera module of a modified example of the eighth embodimentaccording to the present invention is assembled;

FIG. 47 is a cross section showing the assembly of a modified example ofthe eighth embodiment of the camera module according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view showing the ninth embodiment of the cameramodule according to the present invention;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view showing the ninth embodiment of the cameramodule according to the present invention and its waterproof cablepenetration part;

FIG. 50 is a cross section of the essential part along line L-L of FIG.49;

FIG. 51 is a cross section of the essential part along line LI-LI ofFIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is a cross section of the essential part shows the assembly ofthe waterproof cable penetration part shown in FIG. 50;

FIG. 53 is a cross section of the essential part showing the assembly ofthe waterproof cable penetration part shown in FIG. 50;

FIG. 54 is a cross section of the essential part showing the tenthembodiment of the camera module according to the present invention andits waterproof cable penetration part;

FIG. 55 is a bottom view showing the waterproof cable penetration partand the camera module shown in FIG. 54;

FIG. 56 is a cross section of the essential part showing the assembly ofthe waterproof cable penetration part shown in FIG. 54;

FIG. 57 is a cross section of the essential part showing the assembly ofthe waterproof cable penetration part shown in FIG. 54;

FIG. 58 is a cross section of the essential part showing the eleventhembodiment of the camera module according to the present invention;

FIG. 59 is a bottom view showing the waterproof cable penetration partand the camera module shown in FIG. 58;

FIG. 60 is a cross section of the essential part showing the assembly ofthe waterproof cable penetration part of the twelfth embodiment of thecamera module according to the present invention;

FIG. 61 is a cross section of the essential part showing the waterproofcable penetration part of the twelfth embodiment of the camera moduleaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 62A is a plan view showing the lower part of the case that is usedfor the waterproof cable penetration part of the thirteenth embodimentof the camera module according to the present invention;

FIG. 62B is a front view showing the lower part of the case that is usedfor the waterproof cable penetration part of the thirteenth embodimentof the camera module according to the present invention;

FIG. 62C is a bottom view showing the lower part of the case that isused for the waterproof cable penetration part of the thirteenthembodiment of the camera module according to the present invention;

FIG. 63 is a cross section along line LXIII-LXIII of FIG. 62;

FIG. 64A is a plan view showing the cover that is used for thewaterproof cable penetration part according to the thirteenth embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 64B is a front view showing the cover that is used for thewaterproof cable penetration part according to the thirteenth embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 64C is a bottom view showing the cover that is used for thewaterproof cable penetration part according to the thirteenth embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 65 is a cross section of the essential part showing the assembly ofthe cable penetration part of the thirteenth embodiment of the cameramodule according to the present invention;

FIG. 66 is a cross section of the essential part showing the cablepenetration part of the thirteenth embodiment of the camera moduleaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 67 is a cross section showing a modified example of the lens of thelens unit that is used in the camera module according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 68 is an overall configuration diagram showing an example of avehicle-mounted camera according to conventional technology;

FIG. 69 is a plan view showing an example of a conventional cameramodule; and

FIG. 70 is a cross section showing another example of a conventionalcamera module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 show a vehicle-mounted camera according to the firstembodiment of the present invention. The vehicle-mounted camera 11 ofthis embodiment comprises a camera module 101, a mirror 300, and atransparent bracket 500. The vehicle-mounted camera 11 is configured asa so-called drive recorder, and is able to simultaneously record thestatus in front of the traveling direction and the in-vehicle status ofthe vehicle 801.

The camera module 101 is an example of imaging devices referred to inthe present invention and comprises, as shown in FIG. 1, a case 120, alens unit 180, and an imaging element 200. The case 120 houses the lensunit 180 and the imaging element 200, and is formed from black plasticor the like. The lens unit 180 is configured by a plurality of lensesbeing overlapped, and performs image formation of light from arelatively wide visual field in the imaging element 200. The imagingelement 200 is configured from a CCD element or the like, and isequipped with a photoelectric conversion function of converting lightreceived with the acceptance surface (not shown) into electricity. Animaging signal is sent from the imaging element 200 to a video recordingdevice or a monitor (both not shown) via a cable (not shown) or thelike.

The transparent bracket 500 is configured, for example, from atransparent material such as acrylic resin, and includes a facing part501, a circuit part 502, and a posterior part 503. As shown in FIG. 1and FIG. 2, the facing part 501 is disposed at the front of thetraveling direction of the vehicle 801 relative to the camera module101, and is squarely facing the camera module 101. The facing part 501covers approximately the entire visual field of the camera module 101.The circuit part 502 skirts from the facing part 501 to the rear of thecamera module 101 via the upside of the camera module 101. The posteriorpart 503 is connected to the circuit part 502 and supports the cameramodule 101. The transparent bracket 500 of this embodiment can be formedby performing bending work to a plate made of acrylic resin or the like.Moreover, in this embodiment, the transparent bracket 500 is mounted onthe front window 803 of the vehicle 801 with a bracket 601.

The mirror 300 is a standard mirror, a mirror-finished metal film or thelike, and is an example of the reflector referred to in the presentinvention. The mirror 300 is mounted at the underside of the facing part501 of the transparent bracket 500, and is formed in a horizontally longrectangular shape is evident from FIG. 2. As a result of this kind ofarrangement, the mirror 300 will occupy roughly half of the underside ofthe visual field of the camera module 101.

The transparent bracket 500 is mounted with a light-resistant film 400.The light-resistant film 400 is a black resin film or the like, and isan example of the light shield referred to in the present invention. Asevident from FIG. 2, the light-resistant film 400 is affixed to themirror 300 at the upper side of the mirror 300 with no spacetherebetween.

In this embodiment, the visual field of the camera module 101 can bebroadly classified into three ranges. Foremost, as shown in FIG. 1, thefirst range is sandwiched between boundary lines 806, 807. The viewingangle 811 in the vertical direction of this range is, for example, 50degrees. The second range is sandwiched between boundary lines 808, 809.The boundary lines 808, 809 are both bent in the traveling direction ofthe vehicle 801 by the mirror 300. The viewing angle 812 in the verticaldirection of this range is, for example, 50 degrees. The third range issandwiched between boundary lines 807, 808, and the light-resistant film400 is reflected thereon. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 3, the viewingangle 813, 814 in the horizontal direction of the first and secondranges of the visual field of the camera module 101 are bothapproximately 120 degrees.

The operation of the vehicle-mounted camera 11 is now explained.

FIG. 4 shows a screen image of the camera module 101. The upper halfdisplays the status in front of the vehicle 801. This corresponds to therange that is sandwiched between the boundary line 806, 807 of FIG. 1.Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower half of the screen imagedisplays the in-vehicle status of the vehicle 801 and the status behindthe vehicle 801. This corresponds to the range that is sandwichedbetween the boundary lines 808, 809 of FIG. 1. Thus, according to thevehicle-mounted camera 11 of this embodiment, even though theconfiguration only comprises one camera module 101, the status in frontof the vehicle 801 and the in-vehicle status and the status behind thevehicle 801 can be simultaneously captured. Accordingly, thevehicle-mounted camera 11 can be used, for example, as a drive recorderfor the purpose of self-analysis which records the status of thefront-back vehicle direction at the time of a motor vehicle accident,and can also be used, for example, as a drive recorder for the purposeof crime prevention which records the status of a passenger of a taxi.

The screen image shown in FIG. 4 was captured under the circumstancesshown in FIG. 3. Here, there is a vehicle 831 at the front right and avehicle 832 at the rear right of the vehicle 801. In the screen imageshown in FIG. 4, both vehicles 831, 832 are displayed on the right sideof the screen image. This is because the mirror 300 is disposed tooccupy the underside of the visual field of the camera module 101. Aperson viewing this screen image will be able to intuitively understandthat both vehicles 831, 832 are on the right side. This is particularlysuitable, for example, in order to prevent the erroneous recognition ofthe left and right positions of the rear status when investigating thecircumstances at the time of the accident.

The light-resistant film 400 is displayed as a black strip at the centerportion of the screen image shown in FIG. 4. This will prevent theerroneous recognition of the boundary between the front status displayedat the upper part and the rear status displayed at the lower part.Moreover, when processing this screen image, as a result ofimage-recognizing the black strip of the light-resistant film 400, theupper part and the lower part of the screen image can be automaticallyand easily differentiated.

The configuration of supporting the mirror 300 and the camera module 101with the transparent bracket 500 is suitable for miniaturizing theoverall vehicle-mounted camera 11. In addition, this is advantageous forinstalling the vehicle-mounted camera 11 at the front overhead positionof the driver which will not interfere, for example, with theconfirmation of the room mirror.

FIG. 5 shows a modified example of the vehicle-mounted camera accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle-mountedcamera 11 of this modified example differs from the vehicle-mountedcamera 11 described above in that it comprises a case 510 in substitutefor the foregoing transparent bracket 500.

The case 510 is made of resin or the like, and has a box shape in whichits cross-section surface is of a polyangular shape. As the material ofthe case 510, opaque resin may be used, or transparent resin may beused. The case 510 also supports the camera module 101 as with theforegoing transparent bracket 500. The case 510 is formed with a frontwindow 504 and a rear window 505. The front window 504 is disposed at aposition that occupies the upper portion of the visual field of thecamera module 101, and enables the camera module 101 to capture thestatus in front of the vehicle. The rear window 505 is located at theunderside of the camera module 101, and is disposed at a position ofbeing reflected on the mirror 300 that occupies the lower portion of thevisual field of the camera module 101. The camera module 101 is therebyable to capture the status behind the vehicle through the rear window505. Even with this configuration, the status in front of the vehicleand the status behind the vehicle can be capture with a single cameramodule 101.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show another modified example of the vehicle-mountedcamera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Withthe vehicle-mounted camera 11 of this modified example, the supportingstructure of the camera module 101 and the mirror 300 differs from theforegoing configuration. In this modified example, the camera module 101is supported rotatably relative to the bracket 601 that is mounted tothe front window 803. Moreover, the mirror 300 is supported rotatablyrelative to both the bracket 601 and the camera module 101 via thebracket 520. The rotating axis of the camera module 101 and the rotatingaxis of the mirror 300 are both perpendicular to the plane of paper. Acable 230 is extending from the camera module 101.

If the camera module 101 and the mirror 300 are retained in the positionshown in FIG. 6, the mirror 300 will not be reflected on the visualfield of the camera module 101. Thus, the camera module 101 will captureonly the front of the traveling direction. Here, the viewing angle 811is, for example, approximately 100 degrees.

Meanwhile, if the camera module 101 and the mirror 300 are retained inthe position shown in FIG. 7, the mirror 300 will be reflected on thevisual field of the camera module 101. Thus, the camera module 101 willsimultaneously capture the front of the traveling direction and the rearof the traveling direction. Here, the viewing angle 811 of the front ofthe traveling direction is, for example, approximately 50 degrees, andthe viewing angle 812 of the rear of the traveling direction is, forexample, approximately 50 degrees.

According to this modified example, the user is able to arbitrarilyselect a mode of using the camera module 101 to capture only the frontof the traveling direction in a relatively wide angle, and a mode ofusing the camera module 101 to simultaneously capture the front of thetraveling direction and the rear of the traveling direction. Moreover,as a result of suitably changing the angle of the camera module 101 andthe mirror 300, the ratio of the front of the traveling direction andthe ratio of the rear of the traveling direction can be arbitrarily setin the screen image that is captured with the camera module 101.

FIG. 8 to FIG. 13 show another embodiment of the present invention.Incidentally, the elements in these drawings that are the same as orsimilar to the foregoing embodiment are given the same reference numeralas the foregoing embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a vehicle-mounted camera according to the second embodimentof the present invention. The vehicle-mounted camera 12 of thisembodiment differs from the foregoing embodiment in that it is used as aso-called rear-view monitor.

In this embodiment, the camera module 101 and the mirror 300 aredisposed by sandwiching the rear window 802 of the vehicle 801. Thecamera module 101 is mounted on the inner surface of the window 802 witha suction disk 602 or the like. The camera module 101 assumes a positionof facing the rear of the vehicle through the window 802. A cable 230 isextending from the camera module 101. The cable 230 is laid within thevehicle 801 and connected, for example, to a monitor (not shown)installed in the instrument panel.

The mirror 300 is mounted to the outer surface of the window 802 with abracket 603 or the like. In this embodiment, the mirror 300 is of apositional relationship that occupies most of the visual field of thecamera module 101. The mirror 300 is inclined to face the underside. Therear underside of the vehicle 801 and the road 805 are thereby reflectedon the video picture of the camera module 101.

According to this kind of embodiment, the status of the area immediatelybehind the vehicle 801, which usually becomes a blind spot of thedriver, can be adequately confirmed with the video picture of thevehicle-mounted camera 12. Since the camera module 101 is installedinside the vehicle, there is hardly any chance of it being exposed torain and wind. Accordingly, the camera module 101 can be subject tosimpler waterproofing measures, for example, in comparison to thevehicle-mounted camera 902 shown in FIG. 68.

In addition, there is no need to lay the cable 230 from outside thevehicle to inside the vehicle. The time and effort for laying the cable230 can thereby be alleviated. It is also possible to inhibit thedeterioration or damage of the cable 230.

FIG. 9 shows a vehicle-mounted camera according to the third embodimentof the present invention. The vehicle-mounted camera 13 of thisembodiment differs from the foregoing vehicle-mounted camera 12 in thatit is mounted on a side window 804 located at the side of the vehicle801. In this embodiment, the camera module 101 is mounted on the innersurface of the side window 804, and the mirror 300 is mounted on theouter surface of the side window 804. The lateral underside of thevehicle 801 and the road 805 are reflected on the video picture of thecamera module 101.

According to this embodiment, for example, the status of the leftunderside of the vehicle 801, which usually becomes a blind spot of thedriver seated on the right side of the vehicle 801, can be adequatelyconfirmed.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show a vehicle-mounted camera according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle-mounted camera14 of this embodiment differs from all of the foregoing embodiments inthat a portable phone 113 is used as a camera module as referred to inthis invention. The relationship of the portable phone 113 and themirror 300 is similar to the foregoing vehicle-mounted camera 12.

The portable phone 113 is equipped with an imaging function, and isretained, for example, a bracket 604 that is mounted on the innersurface of the window 802. In this position, the visual field of theportable phone 113 is mostly occupied by the mirror 300. The screenimage that is captured with the portable phone 113 can be displayed on aseparate portable phone 114 that is placed on the instrument panel byusing a TV phone function or the like. According to this kind ofembodiment, a rear-view monitor can be created without having to use aspecial camera module.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show a vehicle-mounted camera according to the fifthembodiment of the present invention. The vehicle-mounted camera 15 ofthis embodiment is configured from a camera module 101 that is disposedtoward the front within the vehicle 801 and a mirror 300 that is mountedon the outer surface of the window 802. The camera module 101 comprisesan elongated cylindrical case 120, and the lens unit 180 and the imagingelement 200 are relatively separated. This kind of camera module 101 hasa significantly narrow viewing angle, and most of the visual field isoccupied by the mirror 300. The mirror 300 is inclined to face theunderside, and its reflecting surface is a convex surface in both thevertical direction and the horizontal direction.

According to this kind of embodiment, even though it is possible todisplay the status of the area immediately behind the vehicle 801, it isnot necessary to lay the cable 230 from the camera module 101 across theinterior front-back direction of the vehicle 801. In addition, the cable230 may also be connected to the portable phone 114 as shown in FIG. 12.

Since the mirror 300 has a convex surface, the camera module 101 has arelatively narrow viewing angle while the status of a wide area isreflected on the mirror 300. Accordingly, the vehicle-mounted camera 15can also be used to adequately confirm the status of the areaimmediately behind the vehicle 801.

The vehicle-mounted camera of the present invention is not limited tothe foregoing embodiments. The specific configuration of the respectivecomponents of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the presentinvention can be freely subject to various design changes.

FIG. 14 to FIG. 17 show the first embodiment of the camera moduleaccording to the present invention. The camera module 102 of thisembodiment comprises a case 120, a substrate 210, an imaging element200, a lens unit 180, a plurality of LED modules 221, and a cable 230.The camera module 102 is used, for example, to film relatively darkplaces such as the in-vehicle status of a passenger vehicle or thestatus outside the vehicle at night. Incidentally, the cable 230 isomitted in FIG. 14. Each of the camera modules 102 to 105 explainedbelow can be used in substitute for the camera module 101 of theforegoing vehicle-mounted cameras 11 to 15.

The case 120 is made of black resin or the like, and retains thesubstrate 210, the imaging element 200, the lens unit 180, and theplurality of LED modules 221. In this embodiment, the case 120 has arelatively elongated rectangular parallelopiped shape. A cover 128 ismounted at the back side of the case 120.

The case 120 is formed with a plurality of retention holes 121. As shownin FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the retention holes 121 have a head housing part122 and a lead housing part 123. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.14, twelve retention holes 121 are disposed in a matrix of 3 rows and 4columns and sandwich the lens unit 180.

As shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the head housing part 122 is aclosed-bottom concave part with a circular cross-section surface that ishollowed out inward of the case 120. Each head housing part 122 of theplurality of retention holes 121 has a different depth direction, andthe axes extending in the depth direction are inclined so that theirmutual distance will increase as they head upward in FIG. 15 and FIG.16.

Two lead housing part 123 are formed in each retention hole 121 in thisembodiment, and its section size is smaller than the head housing part122. Each lead housing part 123 includes a root part 124 and a tip part125. The root part 124 is connected to the head housing part 122, andits depth direction basically coincides with the depth direction of thehead housing part 122. The tip part 125 is connected to a side oppositeto the head housing part 122 relative to the root part 124, and itssection size is approximately the same as the root part 124. The depthdirection of the tip part 125 is different from the depth direction ofthe root part 124, and, in this embodiment, is along the verticaldirection (direction that is perpendicular to the substrate 210described later) in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16. Moreover, in this embodiment,as shown in FIG. 17, the pair of root parts 124 that are used forsupporting the same LED module 221 is aligned along a direction that isperpendicular to the main emitting direction 823 of that LED module 221in its planar view. Moreover, the pair of lead housing parts 123 thatare used for supporting the same LED module 221 may be aligned along adirection that is perpendicular to the main emitting direction 823 ofthat LED module 221 in its planar view.

The substrate 210 is a printed circuit board made of glass epoxy resinor the like, and is mounted with a plurality of LED modules 221. Thesubstrate 210 is housed in the case 120.

The imaging element 200 is equipped with a photoelectric conversionfunction of outputting the received light as screen image data, and is aCCD element, a CMOS element or the like. The imaging element 200 ismounted on the substrate 213. The substrate 213 is also a printedcircuit board made of glass epoxy resin or the like as with thesubstrate 210.

The lens unit 180 is an optical component for forming an image ofexternal light in the imaging element 200, and comprises a plurality oflenses, a diaphragm, a lens holder, and the like. The lens and thediaphragm configure a lens group by being mutually laminated, its lensaberration is relatively small, and its viewing angle 810 is, forexample, approximately 135 degrees. As a result of forming an image withthe lens unit 180 in the imaging element 200, the camera module 102 isable to capture a viewing angle 810 of 135 degrees.

The plurality of LED modules 221 are illuminating light sources of thecamera module 102, and, as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, respectivelyinclude an LED chip 222, a translucent head 223, and a lead 224. The LEDmodule 221 of this embodiment is configured so that it can emit infraredrays. The camera module 102 is thereby able to capture images in arelatively dark place without causing the nearby people to feel anybrightness.

The LED chip 222 includes an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-typesemiconductor layer made of GaAs or the like, and an active layersandwiched therebetween, and is able to emit light of a wavelength inthe infrared region. The translucent head 223 is made of resin materialcapable of permeating the infrared rays, and has a so-called shell shapein this embodiment. The translucent head 223 is used for improving thedirectionality and emitting the infrared rays that were emitted from theLED chip 222. The translucent head 223 is housed in the head housingpart 122 of the retention hole 121. The section size of the translucenthead 223 is slightly smaller than the section size of the head housingpart 122, but of a size of being able to fit each other, and of a sizethat is considerably larger than the section size of the lead housingpart 123. The central axis of each translucent head 223 (main emittingdirection 823 of the LED module 221) will thereby basically coincidewith the depth direction of the head housing part 122, and the mainemitting directions 823 of the plurality of LED modules 221 will bemutually different directions.

Incidentally, the term “main emitting direction 823” refers to thedirection that is intended to be illuminated the brightest or thedirection facing the center of the irradiating area in the LED modulesincluding the LED module 221, and coincides with the central axis of theshall-shaped translucent head 223 in this embodiment.

The lead 224 is used for supplying power to the LED chip 222 and formounting the LED module 221, and is made of Fe alloy, Cu alloy or thelike. Each LED module 221 has two leads 224. The two leads 224 arerespectively housed in the two lead housing parts 123 provided to eachretention hole 121. The portion housed in the root part 124 of the lead224 is extending along the main emitting direction 823. Meanwhile, theportion housed in the tip part 125 of the lead 224 is extending in adirection that is different from the main emitting direction 823, and isperpendicular to the substrate 210 in this embodiment. The portionprotruding from the lead housing part 123 of the lead 224 is bonded tothe substrate 210 by way of soldering or other methods.

The cable 230 is used for supplying power to the camera module 102,receiving a filming command signal, sending a captured data signal andso on, and is connected to the substrate 213 via a connector or thelike.

An example of a method of manufacturing the camera module 102 is nowexplained with reference to FIG. 18 to FIG. 20.

Foremost, as shown in FIG. 18, the substrate 210 is fixed to the case120 in advance. Then a plurality of LED modules 221 are prepared andeach LED module 221 is inserted into each retention hole 121 from thelead 224.

If the insertion of the LED module 221 is continued, the tip of the lead224 reaches the tip part 125 after passing through the head housing part122 and the root part 124. If the LED module 221 is inserted further,the lead 224 is bent along the tip part 125 as shown in FIG. 19.

If the LED module 221 is inserted further, the lower end of thetranslucent head 223 of the LED module 221 reaches the bottom surface ofthe head housing part 122 as shown in FIG. 20. The insertion of the LEDmodule 221 is thereby complete. When this process is complete, the mainemitting direction 823 of the plurality of LED modules 221 will coincidewith the depth direction of the head housing part 122 of the pluralityof retention holes 121, and mutually face different directions asdescribed above. Soldering is performed in a state where the tip of thelead 224 is exposed from the bottom surface of the substrate 210.Subsequently, the lens unit 180, the substrate 213, the imaging element200, the cable 230, and the cover 128 are mounted in order to obtain thecamera module 102 shown in FIG. 14 to FIG. 16.

The operation of the camera module 102 is now explained.

FIG. 21 shows the illumination state by the camera module based onconventional technology as with the camera module 903 shown in FIG. 69as a reference example. Although this camera module is also equippedwith twelve LED modules 221 as with the camera module 102, therespective main emitting directions 823 coincide as with the cameramodule 903. As evident from FIG. 21, the illuminating area 821 of theplurality of LED modules 221 is considerably focused at the centerrelative to the imaging area 822 of this camera module. Thus, with thescreen image captured with this camera module, the center portion of theimaging area 822 is extremely bright and subject to whiteout, and theperipheral portion is dark.

Meanwhile, FIG. 22 shows the illumination state by the camera module102. In the camera module 102, each main emitting direction 823 of theplurality of LED modules 221 is different. Thus, the mutual overlappingportions of the plurality of illuminating areas 821 are small incomparison to FIG. 21, and the illumination is uniformly distributedacross the entire imaging area 822. Consequently, in the screen imagecaptured with the camera module 102, the center portion will not beextremely bright and the peripheral portions will also be adequatelybright. Thus, according to the camera module 102, images can be capturedwith a more uniform brightness.

In addition, the main emitting direction 823 of the plurality of LEDmodules 221 may be disposed to match the characteristics of the lens ofthe lens unit 180. For example, as shown in FIG. 23A, if thecharacteristics of the lens of the lens unit 180 are such that the lightquantity is large toward the center of the viewing angle and the lightquantity is small toward the periphery of the viewing angle, the mainemitting direction 823 of the plurality of LED modules 221 is arrangedso that the light quantity distribution by the plurality of LED modules221 will become the distribution shown in FIG. 23B. Specifically, thelight quantity distribution based on the LED illumination is relativelysmall at the center of the viewing angle and becomes maximum at an areathat is separated from the center of the viewing angle to a certaindegree. According to this kind of configuration, as shown in FIG. 23C,the light quantity distribution in the screen image captured with thecamera module 102 will become relatively uniform across the area fromthe center to the periphery of the viewing angle.

As a result of providing retention holes 121 to the case 120, the mainemitting direction 823 of each LED module 221 can be set to the intendeddirection. In particular, by housing the translucent head 223 in thehead housing part 122, the direction of the main emitting direction 823can be set with higher accuracy.

When manufacturing the camera module 102, by inserting the lead 224 fromthe root part 124 into the tip part 125, the tip portion can be madeperpendicular to the substrate 210 while facing the base portion towardthe main emitting direction 823. This is convenient since the tip of thelead 224 can be arranged to face a direction of being bonded with thesubstrate 210 easily even through the main emitting direction 823 isfacing various directions.

FIG. 24 shows the second embodiment of the camera module according tothe present invention. With the camera module 103 of this embodiment,the configuration of the retention hole 121 of the case 120 is differentfrom the foregoing camera module 102. The camera module 103 comprises acase 120, a substrate 210, an imaging element 200, a lens unit 180, aplurality of LED modules 221, and a cable 230. The camera module 103 isused, for example, to film relatively dark places such as the in-vehiclestatus of a passenger vehicle or the status outside the vehicle atnight.

The case 120 is made of black resin or the like, and retains thesubstrate 210, the imaging element 200, the lens unit 180, and theplurality of LED modules 221. In this embodiment, the case 120 has arelatively elongated rectangular parallelopiped shape. A cover 128 ismounted at the back side of the case 120.

The case 120 is formed with a plurality of retention holes 121. Theretention holes 121 have a head housing part 122 and a lead housing part123. In this embodiment, twelve retention holes 121 are disposed in amatrix of 3 rows and 4 columns and sandwich the lens unit 180.

The head housing part 122 is a closed-bottom concave part with acircular cross-section surface that is hollowed out inward of the case120. Each head housing part 122 of the plurality of retention holes 121has a different depth direction, and the axes extending in the depthdirection are inclined so that their mutual distance will increase asthey head upward in FIG. 24.

The lead housing part 123 has a section size that is basically the sameas the section size of the head housing part 122. The lead housing part123 includes a root part 124 and a tip part 125. The root part 124 isconnected to the head housing part 122, and its depth directionbasically coincides with the depth direction of the head housing part122. The tip part 125 is connected to a side opposite to the headhousing part 122 relative to the root part 124, and its section size isapproximately the same as the root part 124. The depth direction of thetip part 125 is different from the depth direction of the root part 124,and, in this embodiment, is along the vertical direction (direction thatis perpendicular to the substrate 210 described later) in FIG. 24.

The substrate 210 is a printed circuit board made of glass epoxy resinor the like, and is mounted with a plurality of LED modules 221. Thesubstrate 210 is housed in the case 120.

The imaging element 200 is equipped with a photoelectric conversionfunction of outputting the received light as screen image data, and is aCCD element, a CMOS element or the like. The imaging element 200 ismounted on the substrate 213. The substrate 213 is also a printedcircuit board made of glass epoxy resin or the like as with thesubstrate 210.

The lens unit 180 is an optical component for forming an image ofexternal light in the imaging element 200, and comprises a plurality oflenses, a diaphragm, a lens holder, and the like. The lens and thediaphragm configure a lens group by being mutually laminated, its lensaberration is relatively small, and its viewing angle 810 is, forexample, approximately 135 degrees. As a result of forming an image withthe lens unit 180 in the imaging element 200, the camera module 103 isable to capture a viewing angle 810 of 135 degrees.

The plurality of LED modules 221 are illuminating light sources of thecamera module 103, and respectively include an LED chip 222, atranslucent head 223, and a lead 224. The LED module 221 of thisembodiment is configured so that it can emit infrared rays. The cameramodule 103 is thereby able to capture images in a relatively dark placewithout causing the nearby people to feel any brightness.

The LED chip 222 includes an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-typesemiconductor layer made of GaAs or the like, and an active layersandwiched therebetween, and is able to emit light of a wavelength inthe infrared region. The translucent head 223 is made of resin materialcapable of permeating the infrared rays, and has a so-called shell shapein this embodiment. The translucent head 223 is used for improving thedirectionality and emitting the infrared rays that were emitted from theLED chip 222. The translucent head 223 is housed in the head housingpart 122 of the retention hole 121. The section size of the translucenthead 223 is slightly smaller than the section size of the head housingpart 122, or a size of being able to fit each other. The central axis ofeach translucent head 223 (main emitting direction 823 of the LED module221) will thereby basically coincide with the depth direction of thehead housing part 122, and the main emitting directions 823 of theplurality of LED modules 221 will be mutually different directions.

Incidentally, the term “main emitting direction 823” refers to thedirection that is intended to be illuminated the brightest or thedirection facing the center of the irradiating area in the LED modulesincluding the LED module 221, and coincides with the central axis of theshall-shaped translucent head 223 in this embodiment.

The lead 224 is used for supplying power to the LED chip 222 and formounting the LED module 221, and is made of Fe alloy, Cu alloy or thelike. Each LED module 221 has two leads 224. The two leads 224 arerespectively housed in the two lead housing parts 123 provided to eachretention hole 121. The portion housed in the root part 124 of the lead224 is extending along the main emitting direction 823. Meanwhile, theportion housed in the tip part 125 of the lead 224 is extending in adirection that is different from the main emitting direction 823, and isperpendicular to the substrate 210 in this embodiment. The portionprotruding from the lead housing part 123 of the lead 224 is bonded tothe substrate 210 by way of soldering or other methods.

The cable 230 is used for supplying power to the camera module 103,receiving a filming command signal, sending a captured data signal andso on, and is connected to the substrate 213 via a connector or thelike.

An example of a method of manufacturing the camera module 103 is nowexplained with reference to FIG. 25 and FIG. 26.

Foremost, as shown in FIG. 25, the substrate 213 mounted with theimaging element 200 and the lens unit 180 and the substrate 210 mountingthe plurality of LED modules 221 are fixed to the cover 128 in advance.Here, all LED modules 221 assume a position that is upright relative tothe substrate 210, and the lead 224 is straight and not bent.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 26, the case 120 is approached from abovethe plurality of LED modules 221. Here, the case 120 and the cover 128are aligned so that the translucent head 223 of the respective LEDmodules 221 is inserted into the tip part 125 of the respectiveretention holes 121. When the case 120 and the cover 128 are furtherapproached, the translucent head 223 enters the root part 124 from thetip part 125. Here, the translucent head 223 is inclined to a directionwhich the root part 124 is facing. When the case 120 and the cover 128are further approached, the translucent head 223 is housed in the headhousing part 122 through the root part 124. Consequently, with the lead224, as shown in FIG. 24, the base portion near the translucent head 223faces the main emitting direction 823, and the tip portion faces adirection that is vertical to the substrate 210. The camera module 103is thereby complete.

The operation of the camera module 103 is now explained.

FIG. 21 shows the illumination state by the camera module based onconventional technology as with the camera module 903 shown in FIG. 69as a reference example. Although this camera module is also equippedwith twelve LED modules 221 as with the camera module 103, therespective main emitting directions 823 coincide as with the cameramodule 903. As evident from FIG. 21, the illuminating area 821 of theplurality of LED modules 221 is considerably focused at the centerrelative to the imaging area 822 of this camera module. Thus, with thescreen image captured with this camera module, the center portion of theimaging area 822 is extremely bright and subject to whiteout, and theperipheral portion is dark.

Meanwhile, FIG. 22 shows the illumination state by the camera module103. In the camera module 103, each main emitting direction 823 of theplurality of LED modules 221 is different. Thus, the mutual overlappingportions of the plurality of illuminating areas 821 are small incomparison to FIG. 21, and the illumination is uniformly distributedacross the entire imaging area 822. Consequently, in the screen imagecaptured with the camera module 103, the center portion will not beextremely bright and the peripheral portions will also be adequatelybright. Thus, according to the camera module 103, images can be capturedwith a more uniform brightness.

As a result of providing retention holes 121 to the case 120, the mainemitting direction 823 of each LED module 221 can be set to the intendeddirection. In particular, by housing the translucent head 223 in thehead housing part 122, the direction of the main emitting direction 823can be set with higher accuracy.

When manufacturing the camera module 103, by inserting the translucenthead 223 from the tip part 125 into the root part 124, the tip portioncan be made perpendicular to the substrate 210 while facing the baseportion of the lead 224 toward the main emitting direction 823. This isconvenient for facing the main emitting direction 823 in variousdirections while arranging the tip of the lead 224 to face a directionof being bonded with the substrate 210 easily.

FIG. 27 shows the third embodiment of the camera module according to thepresent invention. With the camera module 104 of this embodiment, theconfiguration of the case 120 and the LED modules 221 is different fromthe foregoing camera modules 102, 103. The camera module 104 comprises acase 120, a flexible wiring substrate 214, an imaging element 200, alens unit 180, a plurality of LED modules 221, and a cable 230. Thecamera module 104 is used, for example, to film relatively dark placessuch as the in-vehicle status of a passenger vehicle or the statusoutside the vehicle at night.

The case 120 is made of black resin or the like, and retains theflexible wiring substrate 214, the imaging element 200, the lens unit180, and the plurality of LED modules 221. In this embodiment, the case120 has a relatively elongated rectangular parallelopiped shape.

The case 120 is formed with a plurality of mounting surfaces 126. Inthis embodiment, twelve mounting surfaces 126 are disposed in a matrixof 3 rows and 4 columns and sandwich the lens unit 180. The plurality ofmounting surfaces 126 are respectively facing mutually differentdirections.

The flexible wiring substrate 214 is formed by wiring made of Cu or thelike being printed on a film member made of polyimide resin or the like,and, for instance, possesses considerable flexibility in comparison to asubstrate made of glass epoxy resin or the like. The flexible wiringsubstrate 214 is attached to a portion of the case 120 where theplurality of mounting surfaces 126 are formed. The flexible wiringsubstrate 214 is mounted with a plurality of LED modules 221. Moreover,the flexible wiring substrate 214 is formed with an opening 215 forpassing the lens unit 180 therethrough.

The imaging element 200 is equipped with a photoelectric conversionfunction of outputting the received light as screen image data, and is aCCD element, a CMOS element or the like. The imaging element 200 ismounted on the substrate 213. The substrate 213 is also a printedcircuit board made of glass epoxy resin or the like.

The lens unit 180 is an optical component for forming an image ofexternal light in the imaging element 200, and comprises a plurality oflenses, a diaphragm, a lens holder, and the like. The lens and thediaphragm configure a lens group by being mutually laminated, its lensaberration is relatively small, and its viewing angle 810 is, forexample, approximately 135 degrees. As a result of forming an image withthe lens unit 180 in the imaging element 200, the camera module 104 isable to capture a viewing angle 810 of 135 degrees.

The plurality of LED modules 221 are illuminating light sources of thecamera module 104, and respectively include an LED chip 222 and atranslucent head 223. The LED module 221 of this embodiment isconfigured so that it can emit infrared rays. The camera module 104 isthereby able to capture images in a relatively dark place withoutcausing the nearby people to feel any brightness.

The LED chip 222 includes an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-typesemiconductor layer made of GaAs or the like, and an active layersandwiched therebetween, and is able to emit light of a wavelength inthe infrared region. The translucent head 223 is made of resin materialcapable of permeating the infrared rays, and has a so-called shell shapein this embodiment. The translucent head 223 is used for improving thedirectionality and emitting the infrared rays that were emitted from theLED chip 222.

The LED module 221 is mounted on the portion covering the mountingsurface 126 of the flexible wiring substrate 214 by using a mountingterminal (not shown) provided to the bottom surface of the translucenthead 223. In other words, the flexible wiring substrate 214 issandwiched between the respective LED modules 221 and the respectivemounting surfaces 126. The central axis of each translucent head 223(main emitting direction 823 of the LED module 221) will therebybasically coincide with the direction to which the mounting surface 126is facing, and the main emitting directions 823 of the plurality of LEDmodules 221 will be mutually different directions.

Incidentally, the term “main emitting direction 823” refers to thedirection that is intended to be illuminated the brightest or thedirection facing the center of the irradiating area in the LED modulesincluding the LED module 221, and coincides with the central axis of theshall-shaped translucent head 223 in this embodiment.

The cable 230 is used for supplying power to the camera module 104,receiving a filming command signal, sending a captured data signal andso on, and is connected to the substrate 213 via a connector or thelike.

An example of a method of manufacturing the camera module 104 is nowexplained with reference to FIG. 28.

As shown in FIG. 28, foremost, the substrate 213 mounted with theimaging element 200 and the lens unit 180 is fixed to the case 120 inadvance. Moreover, the plurality of LED modules 221 are mounted to theflexible wiring substrate 214 in advance. Subsequently, the flexiblewiring substrate 214 is caused to approach the case 120 so as to passthe lens unit 180 through the opening 215 of the flexible wiringsubstrate 214. Here, the respective LED modules 221 are positionedimmediately above the respective mounting surfaces 126. The flexiblewiring substrate 214 is bonded to the portion of the case 120 where theplurality of mounting surfaces 126 are formed using an adhesive or thelike. The camera module 104 shown in FIG. 27 is thereby obtained.

The operation of the camera module 104 is now explained.

FIG. 21 shows the illumination state by the camera module based onconventional technology as with the camera module 903 shown in FIG. 69as a reference example. Although this camera module is also equippedwith twelve LED modules 221 as with the camera module 104, therespective main emitting directions 823 coincide as with the cameramodule 903. As evident from FIG. 21, the illuminating area 821 of theplurality of LED modules 221 is considerably focused at the centerrelative to the imaging area 822 of this camera module. Thus, with thescreen image captured with this camera module, the center portion of theimaging area 822 is extremely bright and subject to whiteout, and theperipheral portion is dark.

Meanwhile, FIG. 22 shows the illumination state by the camera module104. In the camera module 104, each main emitting direction 823 of theplurality of LED modules 221 is different. Thus, the mutual overlappingportions of the plurality of illuminating areas 821 are small incomparison to FIG. 21, and the illumination is uniformly distributedacross the entire imaging area 822. Consequently, in the screen imagecaptured with the camera module 104, the center portion will not beextremely bright and the peripheral portions will also be adequatelybright. Thus, according to the camera module 104, images can be capturedwith a more uniform brightness.

As a result of providing the mounting surfaces 126 to the case 120, themain emitting direction 823 of each LED module 221 can be set to theintended direction. In particular, by using a surface mounting type withan electrode on the bottom surface side as the LED module 221, thedirection of the main emitting direction 823 can be set with higheraccuracy.

When manufacturing the camera module 104, by affixing the flexiblewiring substrate 214 mounted with a plurality of LED modules 221 inadvance to the case 120, the main emitting direction 823 of therespective LED modules 221 can be easily made to face the intendeddirection.

FIG. 29 shows the fourth embodiment of the camera module according tothe present invention. With the camera module 105 of this embodiment,the configuration of the case 120 and the substrate 210 is differentfrom the foregoing camera module 104. The camera module 105 comprises acase 120, a substrate 210, an imaging element 200, a lens unit 180, aplurality of LED modules 221, and a cable 230. The camera module 105 isused, for example, to film relatively dark places such as the in-vehiclestatus of a passenger vehicle or the status outside the vehicle atnight.

The case 120 is made of black resin or the like, and retains thesubstrate 210, the imaging element 200, the lens unit 180, and theplurality of LED modules 221. In this embodiment, the case 120 has arelatively elongated rectangular parallelopiped shape. Moreover, atranslucent cover 127 for covering the plurality of LED modules 221 ismounted on the case 120.

The substrate 210 is used for retaining the plurality of LED modules 221and supplying power thereto, and is made of glass epoxy resin or thelike. The substrate 210 is formed with a plurality of mounting surfaces212. In this embodiment, twelve mounting surface 212 are disposed in amatrix of 3 rows and 4 columns and sandwich the lens unit 180. Theplurality of mounting surfaces 212 are respectively facing mutuallydifferent directions.

The imaging element 200 is equipped with a photoelectric conversionfunction of outputting the received light as screen image data, and is aCCD element, a CMOS element or the like. The imaging element 200 ismounted on the substrate 213. The substrate 213 is also a printedcircuit board made of glass epoxy resin or the like as with thesubstrate 210.

The lens unit 180 is an optical component for forming an image ofexternal light in the imaging element 200, and comprises a plurality oflenses, a diaphragm, a lens holder, and the like. The lens and thediaphragm configure a lens group by being mutually laminated, its lensaberration is relatively small, and its viewing angle 810 is, forexample, approximately 135 degrees. As a result of forming an image withthe lens unit 180 in the imaging element 200, the camera module 105 isable to capture a viewing angle 810 of 135 degrees.

The plurality of LED modules 221 are illuminating light sources of thecamera module 105, and respectively include an LED chip 222 and atranslucent head 223. The LED module 221 of this embodiment isconfigured so that it can emit infrared rays. The camera module 105 isthereby able to capture images in a relatively dark place withoutcausing the nearby people to feel any brightness.

The LED chip 222 includes an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-typesemiconductor layer made of GaAs or the like, and an active layersandwiched therebetween, and is able to emit light of a wavelength inthe infrared region. The translucent head 223 is made of resin materialcapable of permeating the infrared rays, and has a so-called shell shapein this embodiment. The translucent head 223 is used for improving thedirectionality and emitting the infrared rays that were emitted from theLED chip 222.

The LED module 221 is mounted on the mounting surface 212 of thesubstrate 210 by using a mounting terminal (not shown) provided to thebottom surface of the translucent head 223. The central axis of eachtranslucent head 223 (main emitting direction 823 of the LED module 221)will thereby basically coincide with the direction to which the mountingsurface 212 is facing, and the main emitting directions 823 of theplurality of LED modules 221 will be mutually different directions.

Incidentally, the term “main emitting direction 823” refers to thedirection that is intended to be illuminated the brightest or thedirection facing the center of the irradiating area in the LED modulesincluding the LED module 221, and coincides with the central axis of theshall-shaped translucent head 223 in this embodiment.

The cable 230 is used for supplying power to the camera module 105,receiving a filming command signal, sending a captured data signal andso on, and is connected to the substrate 213 via a connector or thelike.

The operation of the camera module 105 is now explained.

FIG. 21 shows the illumination state by the camera module based onconventional technology as with the camera module 903 shown in FIG. 69as a reference example. Although this camera module is also equippedwith twelve LED modules 221 as with the camera module 105, therespective main emitting directions 823 coincide as with the cameramodule 903. As evident from FIG. 21, the illuminating area 821 of theplurality of LED modules 221 is considerably focused at the centerrelative to the imaging area 822 of this camera module. Thus, with thescreen image captured with this camera module, the center portion of theimaging area 822 is extremely bright and subject to whiteout, and theperipheral portion is dark.

Meanwhile, FIG. 22 shows the illumination state by the camera module105. In the camera module 105, each main emitting direction 823 of theplurality of LED modules 221 is different. Thus, the mutual overlappingportions of the plurality of illuminating areas 821 are small incomparison to FIG. 21, and the illumination is uniformly distributedacross the entire imaging area 822. Consequently, in the screen imagecaptured with the camera module 105, the center portion will not beextremely bright and the peripheral portions will also be adequatelybright. Thus, according to the camera module 105, images can be capturedwith a more uniform brightness.

As a result of providing the mounting surfaces 212 to the substrate 210,the main emitting direction 823 of each LED module 221 can be set to theintended direction. In particular, by using a surface mounting type withan electrode on the bottom surface side as the LED module 221, thedirection of the main emitting direction 823 can be set with higheraccuracy.

The camera module according to the present invention is not limited tothe foregoing embodiments. The specific configuration of the respectivecomponents of the camera module according to the present invention canbe freely subject to various design changes.

The LED module referred to in the present invention is not limited toemitting infrared rays, and may also emit visible light such as whitelight.

FIG. 30 to FIG. 32 show the fifth embodiment of the camera moduleaccording to the present invention. The camera module 106 of thisembodiment comprises a case 120, an illuminator 220, substrates 210,211, an imaging element 200, a lens unit 180, and a cable 230. Thecamera module 106 is used, for example, to film relatively dark placessuch as the in-vehicle status of a passenger vehicle or the statusoutside the vehicle at night. Incidentally, the cable 230 is omitted inFIG. 30. Moreover, in the ensuing explanation, the optical axisdirection of the lens unit 180 is referred to as the z direction, andthe directions that are orthogonal to the z direction are referred to asthe x and y directions. Incidentally, each of the camera modules 106,107 explained below can be used in substitute for the camera module 101of the foregoing vehicle-mounted cameras 11 to 15.

The case 120 is made of black resin or the like, and includes a basepart 131 and a supporting part 132. The base part 131 is formed so thatthe peripheral part is protruding in the z direction, and the substrates210, 211 are housed at the inside of the peripheral part. The supportingpart 132 is formed in a frame shape that is penetrated in the zdirection, and is mounted on the peripheral part of the base part 131.The lower end of FIG. 31 in the z direction of the supporting part 132fixes the peripheral part of the substrate 31 in the z direction. Awaterproofing O-ring is provided between the base part 131 and thesupporting part 132. In this embodiment, the case 120 has a relativelyelongated rectangular parallelopiped shape. The case 120 is mounted witha cover 133 that opens only on one side in the z direction and which hasa hole part for passing the cable 230 therethrough on the other side.

The substrate 210 is a printed circuit board made of glass epoxy resinor the like, and is mounted with a plurality of LED modules 221. Thesubstrate 210 is housed in the case 120.

The imaging element 200 is equipped with a photoelectric conversionfunction of outputting the received light as screen image data, and is aCCD element, a CMOS element or the like. The imaging element 200 ismounted on the substrate 211. The substrate 211 is also a printedcircuit board made of glass epoxy resin or the like as with thesubstrate 210. Incidentally, the substrate 211 is formed integrally withthe substrate 210.

The lens unit 180 is an optical component for forming an image ofexternal light in the imaging element 200, and comprises a plurality oflenses, a diaphragm, a lens holder, and the like. The lens and thediaphragm configure a lens group by being mutually laminated, its lensaberration is relatively small, and as a whole functions as a wide-anglelens having a viewing angle 810. In this embodiment, the viewing angle810 is, for example, approximately 110 degrees. As a result of formingan image with the lens unit 180 in the imaging element 200, the cameramodule 106 is able to capture a viewing angle 810. The lens unit 180 isdisposed at the center of the case 120 in the z directional vision.

The illuminator 220 is configured from twelve LED modules 221 mounted onthe substrate 210, and an optical component 226. Each LED module 221includes an LED chip 222 and a translucent head 223. LED chip 222includes an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layermade of GaAs or the like, and an active layer sandwiched therebetween,and is able to emit light of a wavelength in the infrared region. Thetranslucent head 223 is made of resin material capable of permeating theinfrared rays, and has a so-called shell shape in this embodiment. Thetranslucent head 223 is used for improving the directionality andemitting the infrared rays that were emitted from the LED chip 222. Thecentral axis of the shell-shaped translucent head 223 is along the zdirection, and the infrared rays that are emitted through thetranslucent head 223 are the brightest in the z direction, and thebrightness decreases as they are inclined relative to the z direction.FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 illustrate the traveling path of the infrared rays824 having half the brightness of the maximum brightness which areemitted from the respective LED modules 221. The infrared rays 824travel along a direction that is 25° deflected from the z directionuntil entering the optical component 226. Each LED module 221 emits theinfrared rays 824 to the horizontal x direction in FIG. 31. The infraredrays that are within a range of 50° sandwiched between the infrared rays824 among the infrared rays that are emitted from the respective LEDmodules 221 are relatively bright, and can be illuminated favorable. Inorder to favorably illuminate the object to the filmed, it is importantto cause the light within the foregoing range to be efficiently emittedto the object to be filmed.

The twelve LED modules 221 are arranged, for example, such that threeLED modules 211 each are arranged along the y direction on either sideof the lens unit 180 in the x direction, and such that two LED modules221 each are arranged along the x direction. The LED modules 221disposed at a position that is closer to the lens unit 180 in the xdirection are disposed so that the infrared rays 824 having half thebrightness of the foregoing maximum brightness are not blocked by thelens unit 180.

The optical component 226 is installed in the supporting part 132 so asto expose the lens unit 180 and to cover the opening portion in the zdirection of the case 120. The optical component 226 is a wide angleprism formed of resin or glass that permeates infrared rays. The term“wide angle prism” as used herein is not limited to a prism, and shallinclude lenses that yield similar effects. The optical component 226 issymmetric in the x direction by sandwiching the lens unit 180 as shownin FIG. 31, and formed to be thicker in the z direction as it drawsapart from the lens unit 180 in the x direction. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 32, the optical component 226 is symmetric in the y direction, andformed to be thicker in the z direction toward both ends in the ydirection. In addition, at the portion in which the thickness isrelatively thin in the z direction, the inner surface of the opticalcomponent 226 is approximately vertical relative to the z direction, butat the relatively thick portion, the inclination relative to the zdirection decreases. This kind of optical component 226 bends theincoming infrared rays so that they are drawn farther apart from thelens unit 180 in the x and y directions at the portions which arefarther from the lens unit 180 in the x and y directions.

In this embodiment, the optical component 226 emits the infrared raysfrom the LED modules 221 directly without any bending in the portionthat is closest to the lens unit 180. Meanwhile, the optical component226 is formed to bend the infrared rays 824 to travel in a directionthat is inclined 55° relative to the z direction at the end portion thatis farthest from the lens unit 180.

The LED module 221 of this embodiment is configured so that it can emitinfrared rays. The camera module 106 is thereby able to capture imagesin a relatively dark place without causing the nearby people to feel anybrightness.

The cable 230 is used for supplying power to the camera module 106,receiving a filming command signal, sending a captured data signal andso on, and is connected to the substrate 211 via a connector or thelike.

The operation of the camera module 106 is now explained.

With this kind of camera module 106, the infrared rays emitted from theLED module 221 disposed at a position that is relatively close to thelens unit 180 will continue to travel without being bent considerably bythe optical component 226. Meanwhile, the infrared rays emitted from theLED module 221 disposed at a position that is relatively far from thelens unit 180 are bent by the optical component 226 so as to draw apartfrom the lens unit 180. Thus, as shown in FIG. 31, it is difficult forthe areas sandwiched between the infrared rays 824 of the respective LEDmodules 221 capable of being illuminated favorably to mutually overlap.According to FIG. 31, overlapping areas among the areas sandwichedbetween the infrared rays 824 of the respective LED modules 221 are theareas to which infrared rays from the respective LED modules 221 of arelatively low brightness will reach, and the brightness will not overlyincrease. In case of FIG. 32 also, it could be said that it is difficultfor the infrared rays emitted from the respective LED modules 221 tooverlap. Accordingly, with the illuminator 220 in the camera module 106,since the infrared rays emitted from the respective LED modules 221 arenot easily biased in a specific direction, it is possible to illuminatean even broader area with infrared rays having a uniform brightness.

Moreover, with this embodiment, the optical component 226 emits, fromits edge, infrared rays 824 in a direction that is inclined 55° relativeto the z direction. Thus, as shown in FIG. 31, the angle of the rangethat can be favorably illuminated with the infrared rays emitted fromthe optical component 226 will be, together with the horizontal xdirection, 110° which is the same as the viewing angle 810 of the lensunit 180. Thus, the camera module 106 is able to emit infrared rays andilluminate the overall range that can be read with the lens unit 180.Accordingly, the camera module 106 is able to film the imaging area byilluminating the imaging area with a more favorable illumination.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the LED modules 221 are disposed so thatthe infrared rays from the LED modules 221 disposed at a position thatis relatively close to the lens unit 180 will not be blocked by the lensunit 180. In addition, since the optical component 226 hardly bends theinfrared rays at a portion that is close to the lens unit 180, theinfrared rays from the LED modules 221 are not blocked easily by thelens unit 180 even after passing through the optical component 226.Furthermore, since the infrared rays are not bent easily near the lensunit 180, it is possible to prevent the infrared rays emitted from theilluminator 220 from incorrectly entering into the lens unit 180. Thus,the camera module 106 is able to efficiently illuminate a wide rangewithout wasting the infrared rays emitted from the LED modules 221.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the substrate 210 and the substrate 211are configured integrally, and this configuration is suitable for massproduction.

Incidentally, in the foregoing embodiment, the viewing angle 810 is setto 110° and the optical component 226 is formed so that it is able toilluminate the range of the same angle as the viewing angle 810. In thepresent invention, the viewing angle 810 of the wide-angle lens can bechanged, for example, within the range of 60° to 180°, and the opticalcomponent 226 can be configured to illuminate the range of the sameangle as the viewing angle 810, for example, by adjusting its thickness.Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the LED modules 221 are able toilluminate a range of 50° with favorable infrared rays. However, thisangle can be changed within the range of 30° to 60°.

FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 show the sixth embodiment of the camera moduleaccording to the present invention. With the camera module 107 of thisembodiment, the configuration of the lens unit 180 and the opticalcomponent 226 differs from the foregoing camera module 106. Moreover,the shape of the supporting part 132 is made to match the shape of theoptical component 226. The remaining configuration of the camera module107 is the same as the camera module 106, and the explanation thereof isomitted as appropriate. The camera module 107 is used, for example, as amonitor camera capable of monitoring afar at night.

The lens unit 180 in the camera module 107 is an optical component forforming an image of external light in the imaging element 200, andcomprises a plurality of lenses, a diaphragm, a lens holder, and thelike. The lens and the diaphragm configure a lens group by beingmutually laminated, its lens aberration is relatively small, and as awhole functions as a narrow-angle lens having a viewing angle 810. Inthis embodiment, the viewing angle 810 is, for example, approximately 10degrees. As a result of forming an image with the lens unit 180 in theimaging element 200, the camera module 107 is able to capture a viewingangle 810. The lens unit 180 is disposed at the center of the case 120in the z directional vision.

The optical component 226 in the camera module 107 is a convex lensarray having twelve convex lens parts 225. The twelve convex lens parts225 are respectively formed at a position that overlaps with the twelveLED modules 221 in the z directional vision. As shown in FIG. 33 andFIG. 34, each convex lens part 225 narrows the angle of the infraredrays from the respective LED modules 221. In this embodiment, eachconvex lens part 225 bends the infrared rays traveling along a directionthat is inclined 25° relative to the z direction so that they travelalong a direction that is inclined 5° relative to the z direction.According to this kind of configuration, the angle of the range wherethe illuminator 220 is able to illuminate favorably will be the same asthe viewing angle 810 of the lens unit 180.

The operation of the camera module 107 is now explained.

With the camera module 107, filming of objects in the distance isenabled by narrowing the viewing angle 810 of the lens unit 180.Moreover, the camera module 107 inhibits the diffusion of the infraredrays by narrowing the angle of the infrared rays from the respective LEDmodules 221 based on the optical component 226, and thereby enables theillumination of objects in the distance. Accordingly, the camera module107 is able to film an imaging area in the distance by illuminating theimaging area favorably.

The camera module 107 is configured the same as the camera module 106other than the lens unit 180, the optical component 226, and thesupporting part 132. Thus, it is possible to seek cost reduction bysharing these common components during the manufacture of both cameramodules 106, 107.

The viewing angle 810 of the lens unit 180 in the camera module 107 is10°. However, the viewing angle 810 of the narrow-angle lens in thepresent invention can be changed within a range of 60° or less. Theoptical component 226 is able to realize the narrowing of the angle tomatch the viewing angle 810 of the foregoing range, for example, bychanging the thickness of the respective convex lens parts 225.

The camera module according to the present invention is not limited tothe foregoing embodiments. The specific configuration of the respectivecomponents of the camera module according to the present invention canbe freely subject to various design changes.

The LED module referred to in the present invention is not limited toemitting infrared rays, and may also emit visible light such as whitelight.

FIG. 35 shows the seventh embodiment of the camera module according tothe present invention. The camera module 108 of this embodimentcomprises a case 120, a substrate 210, an imaging element 200, and alens unit 180. The camera module 108 is used as an imaging means of aso-called rear-view monitor by being mounted outside the vehicle.Incidentally, each of the camera modules 108, 109 explained below can beused in substitute for the camera module 101 of the foregoingvehicle-mounted cameras 11 to 15.

The case 120 is made of black resin or the like, and is of a blockconstruction having an upper part 141 and a lower part 142. The upperpart 141 and the lower part 142 are mutually joined so as to sandwichthe O-ring 612. The case 120 has a substrate 210 and an imaging element200 built therein. A female screw 145, an inner peripheral surface 143and a cone-shaped surface 146 are formed at the upper part 141 of thecase 120. The female screw 145 has the rotating axis 825 as its centralaxis. The inner peripheral surface 143 also has the rotating axis 825 asits central axis, and is parallel to the rotating axis 825. In thisembodiment, the inner peripheral surface 143 is adjacent to the upperend of the female screw 145. The cone-shaped surface 146 is adjacent tothe upper part of the inner peripheral surface 143, and is of a shape inwhich its cross section diameter increases as it draws apart from theimaging element 200 in the extending direction of the rotating axis 825.

The substrate 210 is made of glass epoxy resin or the like, and isformed with a wiring pattern not shown. A cable 230 is mounted on theback face of the substrate 210. The cable 230 is extending outward viathe lateral through-hole that is formed on the lower part 142 of thecase 120. The imaging element 200 is equipped with a photoelectricconversion function of outputting the received light as screen imagedata, and is a CCD element, a CMOS element or the like. The imagingelement 200 is mounted on the wiring pattern (not shown) of thesubstrate 210 described above, and its center basically coincided withthe rotating axis 825.

The lens unit 180 is an optical component for forming an image ofexternal light in the imaging element 200, and comprises a plurality oflenses 181, 182, 184, a diaphragm 183 and a lens holder 185. The lensholder 185 retains the plurality of lenses 181, 182, 184 and thediaphragm 183 so that their respective optical axes all coincide withthe rotating axis 825, and is made of black resin or the like. Theplurality of lenses 181, 182, 184 and the diaphragm 183 configure a lensgroup by being mutually laminated, its lens aberration is relativelysmall, and has a viewing angle 810 of 180 degrees or more. As a resultof forming an image with the lens unit 180 in the imaging element 200,the camera module 108 is able to capture a viewing angle 810 of 180degrees or more.

The lens holder 185 is formed with a male screw 190. The male screw 190has the rotating axis 825 as its central axis, and is screwed with thefemale screw 145 of the case 120. An annular groove 189 is formed at theupper part of the male screw 190. The annular groove 189 is centeredaround the rotating axis 825, and is adjacent to the upper end of themale screw 190 in this embodiment. The bottom surface of the annulargroove 189 is used as the outer peripheral surface 188. The outerperipheral surface 188 also has the rotating axis 825 as its centralaxis, and is parallel to the rotating axis 825.

In this embodiment, the diameter of the male screw 190 and the outerperipheral surface 188 is smaller than the maximum diameter portion ofthe lens unit 180; that is, the portion encompassing the lens 181 withthe maximum diameter. Accordingly, as the overall lens unit 180, theupper portion encompassing the lens 181 is relatively large, and themale screw 190 and the lower portion where the outer peripheral surface188 is formed have a relatively small shape. It is essential to increasethe diameter of the lens 181 in order to achieve an angle of 180 degreesor more as the viewing angle 810.

FIG. 35 shows the completed state of the camera module 108, and the malescrew 190 and the female screw 145 are screwed together, and the innerperipheral surface 143 and the outer peripheral surface 188 are facingeach other. The O-ring 611 is sandwiched between the inner peripheralsurface 143 and the outer peripheral surface 188. The O-ring 611 is usedfor preventing the infiltration of water from the gap between the case120 and the lens unit 180, and, in this embodiment, a type having ahardness of approximately 50 degrees is used in a state of beingcompressed to a compressibility of approximately 30%. Incidentally,preferably used as the O-ring 611 is a type having a hardness of 40 to70 degrees at a compressibility of 20 to 50%.

The assembly of the camera module 108 is now explained with reference toFIG. 36 and FIG. 37.

Foremost, as shown in FIG. 36, the substrate 210, the imaging element200, and the cable 230 are mounted on the lower part 142 and the upperpart 141 and the lower part 142 are joined to complete the case 120.Moreover, the lens unit 180 is prepared, and the O-ring 611 is loaded inthe annular groove 189. In this state, the cross-section surface of theO-ring 611 is approximately a true circle.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 37, the case 120 is inserted into thelower portion of the lens unit 180. Then, the lens unit 180 is rotatedaround the rotating axis 825 while screwing the male screw 190 with thefemale screw 145. More specifically, FIG. 37 shows the state immediatelyafter starting the rotating, and the O-ring 611 is in contact with thecone-shaped surface 146. If the lens unit 180 is further rotated fromthis state, the lens unit 180 will come down along the rotating axis825. Then the O-ring 611 bound by the annular groove 189 is drawn intothe lower portion while sliding against the cone-shaped surface 146.

When the lens unit 180 is rotated even further, the O-ring 611 issandwiched between the outer peripheral surface 188 and the innerperipheral surface 143. Here, the O-ring 611 is compressed at acompressibility of approximately 30%, and its cross-section surface isan oval shape as shown in FIG. 35. For example, the rotation of the lensunit 180 is stopped at a well-focused position while confirming thedisplay of the screen image captured with the imaging element 200 of thetest pattern disposed at the upper part of the lens unit 180.Consequently, the focusing process of the lens unit 180 and the imagingelement 200 and the waterproof treatment between the lens unit 180 andthe case 120 are complete, and the assembly of the camera module 108 iscomplete.

The operation of the camera module 108 is now explained.

According to this embodiment, by rotating the lens unit 180 around thecase 120, the focusing of the lens unit 180 and the imaging element 200can be performed. The degree that the lens unit 180 needs to be raisedor lowered for the fine tuning of the focusing process is small. Thus,during the focusing process, the O-ring 611 is in a state of beingsandwiched between the outer peripheral surface 188 and the innerperipheral surface 143. Consequently, when the focusing is complete, theO-ring 611 is in a state of being compressed between the outerperipheral surface 188 and the inner peripheral surface 143. Thecompressed O-ring 611 inhibits the lens unit 180 from rotatingincorrectly around the case 120 after the focusing is complete.Accordingly, with the camera module 108, it is possible tosimultaneously complete the focusing of the lens unit 180 and theimaging element 200 and the waterproof treatment process of the lensunit 180 and the case 120, and the production efficiency of the cameramodule 108 can be improved thereby.

As a result of using the bottom surface of the annular groove 189 as theouter peripheral surface 188, the O-ring 611 can be bound relative tothe outer peripheral surface 188. This is preferable in preventing theO-ring 611 from becoming incorrectly misaligned when installing the lensunit 180 into the case 120.

As a result of providing the cone-shaped surface 146, the O-ring 611 islured by cone-shaped surface 146 when the lens unit 180 is entered intothe case 120. It is thereby possible to appropriately dispose the O-ring611 between the outer peripheral surface 188 and the inner peripheralsurface 143.

The portion that infiltrates the case 120 of the lens unit 180; that is,the lower portion formed with the male screw 190 and the outerperipheral surface 188 is smaller than the upper portion encompassingthe lens 181. Thus, even though a lens 181 with a relatively largediameter is provided, the case 120 for housing the lower portion of thelens unit 180 is formed in to a relatively small shape which is justslightly larger than the upper portion of the lens unit 180.Consequently, the miniaturization of the overall camera module 108 canbe sought even upon comprising a relatively large lens 181 capable ofachieving a viewing angle 810 of 180 degrees or more.

FIG. 38 shows the assembly process of a modified example of the cameramodule 108. In this modified example, prior to the process of mountingthe lens unit 180 on the case 120, an adhesive 613 is applied to themale screw 190 of the lens unit 180. The lens unit 180 is mounted on thecase 120 according to the foregoing procedures with reference to FIG.37. Consequently, when the focusing of the imaging element 200 of thelens unit 180 is complete, the male screw 190 and the female screw 145are bonded with the adhesive 613 as shown in FIG. 39. According to thiskind of modified example, the lens unit 180 can be reliably fixed to thecase 120 in a focused state.

In addition to the foregoing modified example, for example, the fixationof the lens unit 180 to the case 120 can be reinforced by applying theadhesive 613 to the wall surface that is adjacent to the lower portionof the male screw 190 of the lens unit 180. Otherwise, after thefocusing is complete, the fixation of the lens unit 180 and the case 120can be reinforced based on so-called ultrasonic welding of applyingultrasonic vibration and pressure to the lens unit 180.

FIG. 40 to FIG. 47 show another embodiment of the present invention.Incidentally, the elements in these drawings that are the same as orsimilar to the foregoing embodiments are given the same referencenumeral as the foregoing embodiments.

FIG. 40 shows the eighth embodiment of the camera module according tothe present invention. The camera module 109 of this embodiment differsfrom the foregoing camera module 108 mainly regarding the shape of thelens unit 180 and the structure of the upper part 141 of the case 120.

In this embodiment, an annular groove 144 is formed at the upper part141 of the case 120. The annular groove 144 has the rotating axis 825 asits central axis. In addition, the bottom surface of the annular groove144 is used as the inner peripheral surface 143.

Moreover, the outer surface of the maximum diameter portion of the lensunit 180 is used as the outer peripheral surface 188. The maximumdiameter portion is the portion that encompasses the largest lens 181among the lenses 181, 182, 184. Consequently, in this embodiment, mostof the lens unit 180 is housed in the case 120. In addition, acone-shaped surface 199 is formed on the lens holder 185. Thecone-shaped surface 199 is adjacent to the lower end of the outerperipheral surface 188, and has a shape in which its cross sectiondiameter decreases as it heads toward the imaging element 200 in theextending direction of the rotating axis 825.

The assembly of the camera module 109 is now explained with reference toFIG. 41 to FIG. 45.

Foremost, as shown in FIG. 41, in this embodiment, the O-ring 611 isloaded into the annular groove 144 of the case 120. Moreover, aplurality of levers 186 are formed on the lens holder 185 of the lensunit 180. As shown in FIG. 41 and FIG. 42, the plurality of levers 186are distanced from each other at 90 degree angles, and are respectivelyextending in the radial direction around the rotating axis 825.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 43, the lens unit 180 is lowered towardthe case 120 and the male screw 190 is screwed with the female screw145. Then the lens unit 180 is rotated while gripping the lever 186. Thelens unit 180 is thereby lowered into the case 120. FIG. 43 shows astate immediately before the cone-shaped surface 199 of the lens unit180 comes in contact with the O-ring 611.

When the lens unit 180 is rotated further, the lens unit 180 is loweredtoward the case 120 as shown in FIG. 44. During this lowering process,the O-ring 611 is caused to deform after the cone-shaped surface 199comes in contact with the O-ring 611. Here, the O-ring 611 will not comeoff in the vertical direction since it is bound by the annular groove144. The O-ring 611 is then sandwiched between the outer peripheralsurface 188 and the inner peripheral surface 143 in a state or beingcompressed at approximately 30%. When the lens unit 180 is lowered to anappropriate position for performing the focusing process, the foregoingfocusing process is performed.

When the focusing is complete, as shown in FIG. 45, the lever 186 isremoved from the lens unit 180 by bending the lever 186 upward. Thecamera module 109 is thereby complete.

Even with this kind of embodiment, as with the embodiments describedabove, the focusing of the lens unit 180 and the imaging element 200 andthe waterproof treatment process of the lens unit 180 and the case 120can be simultaneously completed, and the production efficiency of thecamera module 109 can be improved thereby. In addition, the preventionof displacement of the O-ring 611 with the annular groove 144 and thesmooth change in compression of the O-ring 611 with the cone-shapedsurface 199 can be expected.

As a result of housing the maximum diameter portion of the lens unit 180in the case 120, the outer shape of the camera module 109 will be asmooth shape without many irregularities. Consequently, it is possibleto inhibit the camera module 109 from getting hooked to an obstacle whenit is mounted outside the vehicle, and lower the possibility of damage.If the lever 186 is used for the assembly, it is possible to overcomethe inconvenience of having difficulty in rotating the lens unit 180even though most of the lens unit 180 is housed in the case 120.

FIG. 46 and FIG. 47 show a modified example of the eighth embodiment ofthe camera module according to the present invention. With the cameramodule 109 of this modified example, a mounting tool 826 is used for theassembly. As shown in FIG. 46, the mounting tool 826 is of anapproximate ring shape of a size that can be fitted exactly into thelens unit 180, and includes a plurality of levers 827 and a plurality ofprotrusions 828. The plurality of levers 827 are similar to the lever186 of the foregoing embodiment, and are extending in a radial directionby being distanced from each other at 90 degree angles. The plurality ofprotrusions 828 are protruding toward the lower portion by beingdistanced from each other at 90 degree angles.

As shown in FIG. 47, the lens unit 180 is formed with a plurality ofconcave parts 187. The plurality of concave parts 187 are distanced fromeach other at 90 degree angles, and are respectively fitted into theprotrusion 828 of the mounting tool 826.

When assembling the camera module 109, the mounting tool 826 is mountedon the lens unit 180 by fitting the respective protrusions 828 with therespective concave parts 187. The lens unit 180 is thereby rotated whilegripping the lever 827 of the mounting tool 826. The other operationsare performed similar to the procedures explained with reference to FIG.43 to FIG. 45. After the mounting of the lens unit 180 on the case 120is complete, the mounting tool 826 is removed from the lens unit 180.The camera module 109 of this modified example is thereby complete. Evenwith this kind of modified example, as with the embodiments describedabove, the focusing of the lens unit 180 and the imaging element 200 andthe waterproof treatment process of the lens unit 180 and the case 120can be simultaneously completed, and the production efficiency of thecamera module 109 can be improved thereby.

The camera module according to the present invention is not limited tothe foregoing embodiments. The specific configuration of the respectivecomponents of the camera module according to the present invention canbe freely subject to various design changes.

FIG. 48 to FIG. 51 show the ninth embodiment of the camera moduleaccording to the present invention. The camera module 110 of thisembodiment comprises a case 120, a substrate 210, an imaging element200, a lens unit 180, and a cable 230. The camera module 110 is used,for example, as an imaging means of a so-called rear-view monitor bybeing mounted outside the vehicle. Incidentally, each of the cameramodules 110 to 112 explained below can be used in substitute for thecamera module 101 of the foregoing vehicle-mounted cameras 11 to 15.Moreover, each of the waterproof cable penetration parts 115 to 119explained below can be suitably applied to the foregoing camera modules101 to 109.

The case 120 is made of black resin or the like, and is of a blockconstruction having an upper part 151 and a lower part 152 as shown inFIG. 50 and FIG. 51. The upper part 151 and the lower part 152 aremutually joined so as to sandwich the O-ring 612. The case 120 has asubstrate 210 and an imaging element 200 built therein. A female screw159, an inner peripheral surface 158 and a cone-shaped surface 160 areformed at the upper part 151 of the case 120. The female screw 159 hasthe rotating axis 825 as its central axis. The inner peripheral surface158 also has the rotating axis 825 as its central axis, and is parallelto the rotating axis 825. In this embodiment, the inner peripheralsurface 158 is adjacent to the upper end of the female screw 159. Thecone-shaped surface 160 is adjacent to the upper part of the innerperipheral surface 158, and is of a shape in which its cross sectiondiameter increases as it draws apart from the imaging element 200 in theextending direction of the rotating axis 825.

The substrate 210 is made of glass epoxy resin or the like, and isformed with a wiring pattern not shown. An imaging element 200 ismounted on the surface of the substrate 210. The imaging element 200 isequipped with a photoelectric conversion function of outputting thereceived light as screen image data, and is a CCD element, a CMOSelement or the like. The imaging element 200 is mounted on the wiringpattern (not shown) of the substrate 210 described above, and its centerbasically coincided with the rotating axis 825.

The cable 230 is used for supplying power to the imaging element 200 andsending the image signal received from the imaging element 200. The tippart 232 of the cable 230 is bonded to the back face of the substrate210 by way of soldering or other methods. An O-ring 614 is fitted intothe cable 230. The O-ring 614 has a hardness of approximately 50degrees, and its inner diameter is slightly smaller than the outer shapeof the cable 230. As the O-ring 614, preferably used is a type having ahardness of 40 to 70 degrees.

A cable hole 153 is formed at the lower part 152 of the case 120. Thecable hole 153 allows the cable 230 to pass therethrough in a positionof extending in the vertical direction in the drawing. An O-ring housingpart 161 is formed on the cable hole 153. The O-ring housing part 161houses the O-ring 614 in a state of being fitted into the cable 230. Theside surface 162 of the O-ring housing part 161 is pressure welded tothe outer peripheral surface of the O-ring 614. Specifically, the O-ring614 is sandwiched between the cable 230 and the side surface 162. Inthis embodiment, the O-ring 614 is compressed at a compressibility of30%. The compressibility of the O-ring 614 is preferably 20 to 50%. Acone-shaped surface 163 is formed at the lower part of the O-ringhousing part 161. The cone-shaped surface 163 has a round cross-sectionsurface in which its diameter increases as it heads toward the outwardlongitudinal direction (lower direction in the drawing) of the portionof the cable 230 that penetrates the cable hole 153.

The O-ring housing part 161 is covered with a cover 164. The cover 164has a cable hole 165 for passing the cable 230 therethrough, and ismounted to the lower part 152 of the case 120 with two bolts 168. Inthis embodiment, the O-ring 614 is pushed between the cable 230 and theO-ring housing part 161 via the cover 164 with the fastening force ofthe bolt 168.

In this embodiment, the portion along the back surface of the substrate210 of the cable 230 and the portion penetrating the cable hole 153 havemutual directions that are approximately perpendicular. Thus, the cable230 is bent approximately at a right angle in the bending part 231.Meanwhile, a corner part 156 is provided to the lower part 152 of thecase 120. The bending part 231 is bent along the corner part 156.

The cable hole 153, the O-ring housing part 161, the cable 230, theO-ring 614, and the cover 164 provided to the lower part 152 of the case120 configure the waterproof cable penetration part 115 of the ninthembodiment of the camera module according to the present invention.

The lens unit 180 is an optical component for forming an image ofexternal light in the imaging element 200, and comprises a plurality oflenses 191, 192, 194, a diaphragm 193, and a lens holder 195. The lensholder 195 retains the plurality of lenses 191, 192, 194 and thediaphragm 193 so that their respective optical axes all coincide withthe rotating axis 825, and is made of black resin or the like. Theplurality of lenses 191, 192, 194 and the diaphragm 193 configure a lensgroup by being mutually laminated, its lens aberration is relativelysmall, and has a viewing angle 810 of approximately 135 degrees. As aresult of forming an image with the lens unit 180 in the imaging element200, the camera module 110 is able to capture a viewing angle 810 of 135degrees.

The lens holder 195 is formed with a male screw 198. The male screw 198has the rotating axis 825 as its central axis, and is screwed with thefemale screw 159 of the case 120. An annular groove 197 is formed at theupper part of the male screw 198. The annular groove 197 is centeredaround the rotating axis 825, and is adjacent to the upper end of themale screw 198 in this embodiment. The bottom surface of the annulargroove 197 is used as the outer peripheral surface 196. The outerperipheral surface 196 also has the rotating axis 825 as its centralaxis, and is parallel to the rotating axis 825.

In this embodiment, the diameter of the male screw 198 and the outerperipheral surface 196 is smaller than the maximum diameter portion ofthe lens unit 180; that is, the portion encompassing the lens 191 withthe maximum diameter. Accordingly, as the overall lens unit 180, theupper portion encompassing the lens 191 is relatively large, and themale screw 198 and the lower portion where the outer peripheral surface196 is formed have a relatively small shape. It is essential to increasethe diameter of the lens 191 in order to achieve a relatively largeangle of approximately 135 degrees as the viewing angle 810.

FIG. 50 and FIG. 51 show the completed state of the camera module 110,and the male screw 198 and the female screw 159 are screwed together,and the inner peripheral surface 158 and the outer peripheral surface196 are facing each other. The O-ring 611 is sandwiched between theinner peripheral surface 158 and the outer peripheral surface 196. TheO-ring 611 is used for preventing the infiltration of water from the gapbetween the case 120 and the lens unit 180, and, in this embodiment, atype having a hardness of approximately 50 degrees is used in a state ofbeing compressed to a compressibility of approximately 30%.Incidentally, preferably used as the O-ring 611 is a type having ahardness of 40 to 70 degrees at a compressibility of 20 to 50%.

The assembly of the waterproof cable penetration part 115 is nowexplained with reference to FIG. 52 and FIG. 53.

Foremost, as shown in FIG. 52, the cable 230 is inserted through thecable hole 153 in advance. Here, the tip part 232 of the cable 230 isbonded to the substrate 210 in advance via soldering. The O-ring 614 andthe cover 164 are also fitted into the cable 230 in advance. Moreover,the cover 164 is pushed toward the lower part 152 of the case 120. TheO-ring 614 is thereby moved toward the lower part 152.

When the cover 164 is pushed further, the O-ring 614 comes in contactwith the cone-shaped surface 163 of the lower part 152 as shown in FIG.53. If the cover 164 is pushed even further from this state, the O-ring614 is drawn into the O-ring housing part 161 while sliding against thecone-shaped surface 163. Subsequently, by mounting the cover 164 to thelower part 152 of the case 120 with the bolt 168, the waterproof cablepenetration part 115 is completed.

The mounting of the lens unit 180 onto the case 120 is now explained.Foremost, the substrate 210, the imaging element 200, and the cable 230are mounted on the lower part 152 and the upper part 151 and the lowerpart 152 are joined to complete the case 120. Moreover, the lens unit180 is prepared, and the O-ring 611 is loaded in the annular groove 197.In this state, the cross-section surface of the O-ring 611 isapproximately a true circle.

Subsequently, the case 120 is inserted into the lower portion of thelens unit 180. Then, the lens unit 180 is rotated around the rotatingaxis 825 while screwing the male screw 198 with the female screw 159.The O-ring 611 will thereby come in contact with the cone-shaped surface160. If the lens unit 180 is further rotated from this state, the lensunit 180 will come down along the rotating axis 825. Then the O-ring 611bound by the annular groove 197 is drawn into the lower portion whilesliding against the cone-shaped surface 160.

When the lens unit 180 is rotated even further, the O-ring 611 issandwiched between the outer peripheral surface 196 and the innerperipheral surface 158. Here, the O-ring 611 is compressed at acompressibility of approximately 30%, and its cross-section surface isan oval shape. For example, the rotation of the lens unit 180 is stoppedat a well-focused position while confirming the display of the screenimage captured with the imaging element 200 of the test pattern disposedat the upper part of the lens unit 180. Consequently, the focusingprocess of the lens unit 180 and the imaging element 200 and thewaterproof treatment between the lens unit 180 and the case 120 arecomplete, and the mounting of the lens unit 180 on the case 120 is alsocomplete.

Incidentally, prior to the process of mounting the lens unit 180 on thecase 120, an adhesive may be applied to the male screw 198 of the lensunit 180. In the foregoing case, when the focusing of the imagingelement 200 of the lens unit 180 is complete, the male screw 198 and thefemale screw 159 are bonded with the adhesive. According to this kind ofconfiguration, the lens unit 180 can be reliably fixed to the case 120in a focused state.

In addition to the foregoing configuration, for example, the fixation ofthe lens unit 180 to the case 120 can be reinforced by applying theadhesive to the wall surface that is adjacent to the lower portion ofthe male screw 198 of the lens unit 180. Otherwise, after the focusingis complete, the fixation of the lens unit 180 and the case 120 can bereinforced based on so-called ultrasonic welding of applying ultrasonicvibration and pressure to the lens unit 180.

The operation of the waterproof cable penetration part 115 and thecamera module 110 is now explained.

The waterproof cable penetration part 115 has an airtight structurebased on the O-ring 614 that is sandwiched by the cable 230 and the sidesurface 162. It is thereby possible to prevent the infiltration of waterinto the case 120 from the cable hole 153, and the possibility ofexposure to water is low, for example, when the camera module 110 ismounted outside the vehicle. By pushing the cover 164 toward the insideof the case 120, the contact pressure between the O-ring 614 and thecable 230 and side surface 162 can be increased. Fastening using thebolt 168 is suitable for increasing the contact pressure. When pushingthe cover 164, the cone-shaped surface 163 fulfills the function ofluring the O-ring 614 into the O-ring housing part 161. Consequently,the O-ring 614 can be moved smoothly so as to achieve, for example, arelatively high compressibility of approximately 30%.

The increase of contact pressure using the cover 164 is preferable forpreventing the infiltration of water. However, according to the presentinvention, the O-ring 614 itself is configured to be strongly compressedin the radial direction of the cable 230 by the cable 230 and the sidesurface 162. Thus, for example, even if the cover 164 is suddenlyloosened or removed, it is still possible to yield the effect ofpreventing the infiltration of water. Moreover, since the size of theside surface 162 in the longitudinal direction of the cable 230 isrelatively large, even if the O-ring 614 is slightly misaligned in thelongitudinal direction of the cable 230, the possibility that thewaterproof effect will be impaired is low. As shown in FIG. 52 and FIG.53, the size of the side surface 162 in the longitudinal direction ofthe cable 230 is at least greater than the radius of the O-ring 614, andit is preferably equal to or larger than the diameter of the O-ring 614in order to improve the waterproof effect.

If force is applied for pulling the cable 230 to the outside, thebending part 231 gets hooked on the corner part 156. The resistancegenerated thereby prevents the cable 230 from being pulled out from thecase 120. Moreover, it is also possible to avoid this kind of forceworking directly on the tip part 232 that is bonded to the substrate210.

Moreover, by rotating the lens unit 180 around the case 120, thefocusing of the lens unit 180 and the imaging element 200 can beperformed. The degree that the lens unit 180 needs to be raised orlowered for the fine tuning of the focusing process is small. Thus,during the focusing process, the O-ring 611 is in a state of beingsandwiched between the outer peripheral surface 196 and the innerperipheral surface 158. Consequently, when the focusing is complete, theO-ring 611 is in a state of being compressed between the outerperipheral surface 196 and the inner peripheral surface 158. Thecompressed O-ring 611 inhibits the lens unit 180 from rotatingincorrectly around the case 120 after the focusing is complete.Accordingly, with the camera module 110, it is possible tosimultaneously complete the focusing of the lens unit 180 and theimaging element 200 and the waterproof treatment process of the lensunit 180 and the case 120, and the production efficiency of the cameramodule 110 can be improved thereby.

As a result of using the bottom surface of the annular groove 197 as theouter peripheral surface 196, the O-ring 611 can be bound relative tothe outer peripheral surface 196. This is preferable in preventing theO-ring 611 from becoming incorrectly misaligned when installing the lensunit 180 into the case 120.

As a result of providing the cone-shaped surface 160, the O-ring 611 islured by cone-shaped surface 160 when the lens unit 180 is entered intothe case 120. It is thereby possible to appropriately dispose the O-ring611 between the outer peripheral surface 196 and the inner peripheralsurface 158.

FIG. 54 to FIG. 66 show another embodiment of the present invention.Incidentally, the elements in these drawings that are the same as orsimilar to the foregoing embodiments are given the same referencenumeral as the foregoing embodiments.

FIG. 54 and FIG. 55 show the tenth embodiment of the camera moduleaccording to the present invention. The camera module 111 of thisembodiment comprises a waterproof cable penetration part 116 that isconfigured differently from the foregoing waterproof cable penetrationpart 115. Incidentally, the cable 230 is omitted in FIG. 55 for the sakeof convenience in understanding the present invention.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 54, the male screw 154 is formed ata portion that is positioned on the outer side of the cable hole 153(O-ring housing part 161) of the lower part 152 of the case 120.Meanwhile, a female screw for screwing with the male screw 154 is formedon the cover 164.

The waterproof cable penetration part 116 is assembled as follows.Foremost, as shown in FIG. 56, the cable 230 is inserted through thecable hole 153. Then the cover 164 and the O-ring 614 are caused toapproach the lower part 152. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 57, thefemale screw 167 of the cover 164 is screwed with the male screw 154 ofthe lower part 152 by rotating the cover 164. Based on this operation,after the O-ring 614 is pressed against the cone-shaped surface 163, itis pushed into the O-ring housing part 161.

Even with this kind of embodiment, it is possible to prevent theinfiltration of water from the cable hole 153. The fixation of the cover164 using the screwing of the male screw 154 and the female screw 167can be achieved with an easy process, and is suitable for exhibitingsufficient pushing force for pushing the O-ring 614 into the O-ringhousing part 161.

FIG. 58 and FIG. 59 show the eleventh embodiment of the camera moduleaccording to the present invention. The camera module 112 of thisembodiment comprises a waterproof cable penetration part 117 that isconfigured differently from the foregoing waterproof cable penetrationparts 115, 116. Incidentally, the cable 230 is omitted in FIG. 59 forthe sake of convenience in understanding the present invention.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 58, the female screw is formed at aportion that is adjacent to the lower portion relative to the O-ringhousing part 161 of the lower part 152 of the case 120. Meanwhile, themale screw 166 for screwing with the female screw 155 is formed on thecover 164. Upon assembling the waterproof cable penetration part 117,the upper tip of the cover 164 pushes the O-ring 614 into the O-ringhousing part 161 when the cover 164 is rotated so as to screw the malescrew 166 with the female screw 155. Consequently, the O-ring 614 is toachieve a state of being sandwiched by the cable 230 and the sidesurface 162 with high pressure, and adequately prevent the infiltrationof water from the cable hole 153.

FIG. 60 shows the assembly of the waterproof cable penetration part ofthe twelfth embodiment of the camera module according to the presentinvention. In this embodiment, a concave part 157 is formed at a portionthat is position on the outer side relative to the cable hole 153(O-ring housing part 161) of the lower part 152. The concave part 157 isan annular groove that is formed to encompass the cable hole 153, andhas a wedge-shaped cross section that is hollowed inward in the radialdirection of the cross-section surface of the portion of the cable 230that penetrates the cable hole 153. Meanwhile, the cover 164 is formedwith a convex part 169. The convex part 169 is shaped like an annularnail protruding inward in the radial direction. The minimum radius ofthe convex part 169 is the same as or slightly smaller than the minimumradius of the concave part 157.

When the cover 164 is pressed against the lower part 152 along the cable230, the convex part 169 engages with the concave part 157 as shown inFIG. 61 together with the elastic deformation of the cover 164. Themounting of the cover 164 is thereby complete, the pushing of the O-ring614 into the O-ring housing part 161 is complete, and the waterproofcable penetration part 118 is thereby formed.

According to this kind of embodiment, the mounting of the cover 164 canbe completed in an extremely short period of time. In addition, theO-ring 614 can be adequately pushed into the O-ring housing part 161simultaneously with the mounting of the cover 164.

FIG. 62A, FIG. 62B, FIG. 62C and FIG. 63 show the lower part 152 of thecase 120 that is used for the waterproof cable penetration part 119 ofthe thirteenth embodiment of the camera module according to the presentinvention. With the lower part 152 of this embodiment, the configurationof the concave part 157 is different from the foregoing waterproof cablepenetration part 118. In this embodiment, the concave part 157 isconfigured from four through-holes disposed at an even pitch so as toencompass the cable 230. The four through-holes have the samelongitudinal location of the cable hole 153, and are respectivelyextending in the radial direction of the cable hole 153.

FIG. 64A, FIG. 64B, and FIG. 64C show the cover 164 that is used for thewaterproof cable penetration part 119 of the thirteenth embodiment ofthe camera module according to the present invention. In thisembodiment, the convex part 169 is configured from four protrusions. Thefour protrusions have the same longitudinal location of the cable hole165, and are respectively of a semi-dome shape protruding in the radialdirection of the cable hole 165. The respective protrusions configuringthe convex part 169 are of a size and disposed so that they can befitted into the respective through-holes configuring the concave part157.

FIG. 65 shows the assembly of the waterproof cable penetration part 119of the thirteenth embodiment of the camera module according to thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 65, the cable 230 is insertedthrough the cover 164 and the O-ring 614. Subsequently, the cover 164and the O-ring 614 are pushed upward toward the cable hole 153 along thecable 230. Consequently, only the O-ring 614 is inserted into the O-ringhousing part 161. Here, the four protrusions configuring the convex part169 of the cover 164 are fitted into the four through-holes configuringthe concave part 157 of the lower part 152. The waterproof cablepenetration part 119 is thereby completed as shown in FIG. 66.

Even with this kind of embodiment, it is possible to complete themounting of the cover 164 in an extremely short period of time. Inaddition, the O-ring 614 can be appropriately inserted into the O-ringhousing part 161 simultaneously with the foregoing mounting of the cover164. Incidentally, the concave part 157 may be an annular groove havinga semicircle cross-section shape that is provided so as to encompass thecable 230 and, in the foregoing case, the convex part 169 may be formedas a protrusion having an annular semicircle cross-section shape thatencompasses the cable 230.

FIG. 67 shows an example of the lens configuration of the lens unit 180.In this example, a filter 172 is provided to the lens 171 of the lensunit 180. The filter 172 is configured from four band pass filters 173,174, 175, 176. The band pass filters 173, 174, 175, 176 are filters thatselectively permeate, in order, infrared rays 824, red light 834, greenlight 835, and blue light 836. These band pass filters 173, 174, 175,176 are disposed concentrically. As a result of providing the filter172, the focal point of the infrared rays 824, the red light 834, thegreen light 835, and the blue light 836 having different wavelengths canbe positioned to be approximately the same. This is suitable forimproving the sharpness of the screen image captured with the lens unit180.

The waterproof cable penetration part and the camera module according tothe present invention are not limited to the foregoing embodiments. Thespecific configuration of the respective components of the waterproofcable penetration part and the camera module according to the presentinvention can be freely subject to various design changes.

To summarize the above, the configurations and their variations in theforegoing embodiments are listed below as Appendixes.

APPENDIX 1

A camera module, comprising:

an imaging element; and

an illuminator for illuminating at least a part of an imaging area thatis imaged by the imaging element,

wherein the illuminator comprises a plurality of LED modules eachincluding an LED chip and with mutually different main emittingdirections.

APPENDIX 2

The camera module according to Appendix 1, further comprising:

a case for housing the imaging element,

wherein the case is provided with a plurality of retention holes forretaining the plurality of LED modules.

APPENDIX 3

The camera module according to Appendix 2,

wherein each of the LED modules comprises a translucent head with theLED chip built therein, and a lead that establishes electricalcontinuity with the LED chip,

wherein each of the retention holes includes a head housing part whichhouses the translucent head and in which a depth direction thereofcoincides with the main emitting direction of the LED module, and

the lead housing part includes a root part that is connected to the headhousing part and which extends in the main emitting direction, and a tippart that extends in a direction that is different from the directionextended from the root part.

APPENDIX 4

The camera module according to Appendix 3,

wherein the lead housing part has a cross-section size that is smallerthan that of the translucent head.

APPENDIX 5

The camera module according to Appendix 3,

wherein the lead housing part has a cross-section size that is largerthan that of the translucent head.

APPENDIX 6

The camera module according to Appendix 3, further comprising:

a substrate mounted with the plurality of LED modules,

wherein each of the tip parts of the plurality of retention holes isorthogonal to the substrate.

APPENDIX 7

The cameral module according to Appendix 1, further comprising:

a case which houses the imaging element and to which are formed aplurality of mounting surfaces facing mutually different directions; and

a flexible wiring substrate having flexibility in which the plurality ofLED modules are mounted on a surface thereof,

wherein the flexible wiring substrate is sandwiched between theplurality of mounting surfaces and the LED module.

APPENDIX 8

The camera module according to Appendix 1, further comprising:

a substrate having a plurality of mounting surfaces facing mutuallydifferent directions,

wherein the plurality of LED modules are mounted on the plurality ofmounting surfaces.

APPENDIX 9

The camera module, comprising:

an imaging element; and

an illuminator for illuminating at least a part of an imaging area thatis imaged by the imaging element, and

wherein the illuminator comprises an LED module, and an opticalcomponent for bending light from the LED module.

APPENDIX 10

The camera module according to Appendix 9, further comprising:

a wide-angle lens for converging light at the imaging element,

wherein the optical component is a wide angle prism for widening theangle of light from the LED module.

APPENDIX 11

The camera module according to Appendix 10,

wherein the wide angle prism is formed so that light from the LED moduleis bent more as the prism recedes from the wide-angle lens in a firstdirection that is orthogonal to an optical axis direction of thewide-angle lens.

APPENDIX 12

The camera module according to Appendix 11,

wherein the wide angle prism is formed so that light from the LED moduleis bent more at the edge than the center in a second direction that isorthogonal to the optical axis direction and the first direction.

APPENDIX 13

The camera module according to Appendix 9, further comprising:

a narrow-angle lens for converging light at the imaging element,

wherein the optical component includes a convex lens part for narrowingthe angle of light from the LED module.

APPENDIX 14

The camera module according to Appendix 13,

wherein each of the convex lens parts is formed to overlap with any oneof the plurality of LED modules in an optical axis directional vision ofthe narrow-angle lens.

APPENDIX 15

A camera module, comprising:

a lens unit including one or more lenses;

a case for retaining the lens unit; and

an imaging element which is retained by the case and which receiveslight through the lens,

wherein the lens unit is formed with a male screw having as a rotatingaxis thereof an optical axis of the lens, and an outer peripheralsurface that is parallel to the rotating axis,

the case is formed with a female screw that is screwed with the malescrew of the lens unit, and an inner peripheral surface that faces theouter peripheral surface of the lens unit, and

wherein the camera module further includes an O-ring sandwiched betweenthe inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface.

APPENDIX 16

The camera module according to Appendix 15,

wherein the outer peripheral surface is a bottom surface of an annulargroove that is formed on the lens unit.

APPENDIX 17

The camera module according to Appendix 16,

wherein the case is formed with a cone-shaped surface which is adjacentto a side opposite to the imaging element relative to the innerperipheral surface in the rotating axis direction, and whose diameterincreases as it recedes from the imaging element.

APPENDIX 18

The camera module according to Appendix 16,

wherein the outer peripheral surface has a diameter that is smaller thana lens with the largest diameter among the one or more lenses includedin the lens unit.

APPENDIX 19

The camera module according to Appendix 15,

wherein the inner peripheral surface is a bottom surface of an annulargroove that is formed on the case.

APPENDIX 20

The camera module according to Appendix 19,

wherein the lens unit is formed with a cone-shaped surface which isadjacent to the imaging element side relative to the outer peripheralsurface in the rotating axis direction, and whose diameter decreases asit approaches the imaging element.

APPENDIX 21

The camera module according to Appendix 19,

wherein the outer peripheral surface is a maximum diameter portion ofthe lens unit.

APPENDIX 22

The camera module according to Appendix 15,

wherein the angle of view of the lens unit is 180 degrees or more.

APPENDIX 23

A waterproof cable penetration part, comprising:

a cable hole provided to a case of a camera module; and

a cable that penetrates the cable hole,

wherein the waterproof cable penetration part further includes an O-ringthat is fitted into the cable, and

wherein the cable hole is formed with an O-ring housing part for housingthe O-ring and having a side surface that is adjacent to an outerperipheral surface of the O-ring.

APPENDIX 24

The waterproof cable penetration part according to Appendix 23,

wherein, of the O-ring housing part, an outward portion in alongitudinal direction of a penetration portion of the cable is formedwith a cone-shaped surface whose diameter increases outward along thelongitudinal direction.

APPENDIX 25

The waterproof cable penetration part according to Appendix 23,

including a cable hole that is penetrated by the cable, and furtherincluding a cover for covering the O-ring housing part.

APPENDIX 26

The waterproof cable penetration part according to Appendix 25,

wherein the cover is fixed to the case with a bolt.

APPENDIX 27

The waterproof cable penetration part according to Appendix 25,

wherein, of the case, a male screw is formed at a portion that ispositioned outside relative to the O-ring housing part, and

wherein the cover is formed with a female screw that is screwed with themale screw.

APPENDIX 28

The waterproof cable penetration part according to Appendix 25,

wherein, of the case, a female screw is formed at a portion that ispositioned outward in a longitudinal direction of a penetration portionof the cable relative to the O-ring housing part, and

wherein the cover is formed with a male screw that is screwed with thefemale screw.

APPENDIX 29

The waterproof cable penetration part according to Appendix 25,

wherein a convex part protruding in a direction that intersects with alongitudinal direction of a penetration portion of the cable is formedto one of the case and the cover, and

wherein a concave part that is hollowed in a direction that intersectswith a longitudinal direction of a penetration portion of the cable isformed to the other one of the case and cover.

APPENDIX 30

The waterproof cable penetration part according to Appendix 23,

wherein the case is formed with a corner part that is positioned inwardof the cable hole, and

wherein the cable has a bending part that is bent along the corner part.

APPENDIX 31

A camera module, comprising:

a lens unit including one or more lenses;

a case for retaining the lens unit;

an imaging element which is retained by the case and which receiveslight through the lens; and

the waterproof cable penetration part according to Appendix 23.

APPENDIX 32

The camera module according to Appendix 31,

wherein the lens unit is formed with a male screw having as a rotatingaxis thereof an optical axis of the lens, and an outer peripheralsurface that is parallel to the rotating axis,

wherein the case is formed with a female screw that is screwed with themale screw of the lens unit, and an inner peripheral surface that facesthe outer peripheral surface of the lens unit, and

wherein the camera module further includes an O-ring sandwiched betweenthe inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface.

APPENDIX 33

The camera module according to Appendix 32,

wherein the outer peripheral surface is a bottom surface of an annulargroove that is formed on the lens unit.

APPENDIX 34

The camera module according to Appendix 32,

wherein the case is formed with a cone-shaped surface which is adjacentto a side opposite to the imaging element relative to the innerperipheral surface in the rotating axis direction, and whose diameterincreases as it recedes from the imaging element.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A vehicle-mounted camera, comprising: animaging device mounted on a vehicle; a reflector occupying at least apart of an imaging range of the imaging device; a transparent bracketdisposed forwarded in a vehicle traveling direction relative to theimage device and facing the image device; and a light shield provided onthe transparent bracket to be included in the image range of the imagedevice; wherein the reflector is mounted on the transparent bracket, andthe light shield is adjacent to an upper part of the reflector in avertical direction; and wherein the transparent bracket includes afacing part, a circuit part and a posterior part, the facing part facingthe image device at a location forward of the imaging device in thevehicle traveling direction, the circuit part extending from a locationforward of the imaging device in the vehicle traveling direction to alocation backward of the imaging device in the vehicle travelingdirection via a location above the imaging device in the verticaldirection, the posterior part being positioned backward of the imagingdevice in the vehicle traveling direction and supporting the imagingdevice.
 2. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein theimaging device and the reflector are both disposed in the vehicle. 3.The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 2, wherein the imagingdevice faces forward in the vehicle traveling direction, and thereflector occupies a lower part of the imaging range of the imagingdevice in the vertical direction.
 4. The vehicle-mounted cameraaccording to claim 3, wherein the reflector is configured to reflect arange outside the vehicle and backward of the vehicle in the vehicletraveling direction.
 5. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 3,wherein the reflector is configured to reflect a passenger seated in abackseat of the vehicle.
 6. The vehicle-mourned camera according toclaim 1, wherein the imaging device comprises: an imaging element; andan illuminator for illuminating at least a part of an imaging area thatis imaged by the imaging element, and wherein the illuminator is acamera module having a plurality of LED modules each including an LEDchip, the LED modules having mutually different main emittingdirections.
 7. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 6, furthercomprising a case for housing the imaging element, wherein the case isprovided with a plurality of retention holes for retaining the pluralityof LED modules.
 8. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 7,wherein each of the LED modules comprises a translucent head with theLED chip built therein, a lead that establishes electrical continuitywith the LED chip, each of the retention holes includes a head housingpart and a lead housing part, the head housing part being configured tohouse the translucent head and having a depth direction that coincideswith the main emitting direction of the LED module, the lead housingpart being configured to house the lead, and the lead housing partincludes a root part and a tip part, the root part being connected tothe head housing, part and extending, in the main emitting direction,the tip part being configured to extend in a direction different fromthe direction in which the root part extends.
 9. The vehicle-mountedcamera according to claim 8, wherein the lead housing part has across-section size that is smaller than that of the translucent head.10. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 8, wherein the leadhousing part has a cross-section size that is larger than that of thetranslucent head.
 11. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 8,further comprising a substrate mounted with the plurality of LEDmodules, wherein each of the tip parts of the plurality of retentionholes is orthogonal to the substrate.
 12. The vehicle-mounted cameraaccording to claim 6, further comprising: a case housing the imagingelement and formed with a plurality of mounting surfaces facing inmutually different directions; and a flexible wiring substrate includinga surface on which the plurality of LED modules are mounted; wherein theflexible wiring substrate is sandwiched between the plurality ofmounting surfaces and the LED module.
 13. The vehicle-mounted cameraaccording to claim 6, further comprising a substrate including aplurality of mounting surfaces facing in mutually different directions,wherein the plurality of LED modules are mounted on the plurality ofmounting surfaces.
 14. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1,wherein the imaging device comprises; an imaging element; and anilluminator for illuminating at least a part of an imaging area that isimaged by the imaging element; wherein the illuminator is a cameramodule including an LED module, and an optical component for bendinglight from the LED module.
 15. The vehicle-mounted camera according toclaim 14, further comprising a wide-angle lens for converging light ontothe imaging element, wherein the optical component is a wide angle prismfor widening the angle of light from the LED module.
 16. Thevehicle-mounted camera according to claim 15, wherein the wide angleprism is formed so that light from the LED module is bent more as theprism recedes from the wide-angle lens in a first direction that isorthogonal to an optical axis direction of the wide-angle lens.
 17. Thevehicle-mounted camera according to claim 15, wherein the wide angleprism is formed so that light from the LED module is bent more at anedge than a center in a second direction that is orthogonal to theoptical axis direction and the first direction.
 18. The vehicle-mountedcamera according to claim 14, further comprising a narrow-angle lens forconverging light onto the imaging element, wherein the optical componentincludes a convex lens part for narrowing the angle of light from theLED module.
 19. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 18,wherein each of the convex lens parts is formed to overlap with one ofthe plurality of LED modules as viewed in an optical axis direction ofthe narrow-angle lens.